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Rev.  JOHN  McCLOSKEY,  &c. 

PASTOR  OF  ST.  JOSBPH's  CHURCH,  KEW  YORK, 

Wboee  unaffected  piety  as  a  Christian  Divine, splendid  talenu  as 

an  effective  Preacher,  extensive  acquirements  as  an  elegant 

Scholar,  and  dignified  jet  amiable  manners  as  an 

accomplished  Gentleman,  have  Ion?  been  the 

admiration,  the  ornament,  and  the 

model  of  his  devoted  flock, 

THI3  LITTLE  WORK  18  RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED 

B  T    H  I  S 

FORMER    PARISHIONERS, 

AND 

Much  obliged  humble  servaiiU, 

THE  PUBLISHERS. 

New  Tors, 

Eve  of  the  Feast  of  the  Nativty. 


'I- 


0 __ : 0 


PREFACE. 


In  the  midst  of  the  alarming  indiffer- 
ence and  deplorable  incredulity  of  the 
age,  we  ought  to  regard  as  peculiarly  pre- 
destinated to  happiness  eternal,  all  those 
who,  despite  of  every  allurement,  every 
seduction,  and  every  temptation  to  error 
held  out  by  a  vain  world,— have  contin- 
ued inviolably  attached  to  the  one  true 
Faith  : — the  source  of  all  virtues,  and  the 
only  foundation  of  moral  as  well  as  of  re- 
ligious perfection.  They  at  least  know 
the  nature  of  man's  origin,— why  he  has 
been  placed  for  some  time  a  sojourner 
on  this  earth, — what  he  ought  to  do  while 
here. — and  what  he  is  destined  to  become 
hereafter,  at  the  termination  of  a  tran- 
sient career.  The  rule  of  life  adopted 
by  these  pious  souls,  is  not  swayed  by 
chance,  caprice,  blind  instinct,  or  the 
cravings  of  mere  animal  existence. 
While  anxious  to  extend,  enlighten,  and 
exalt  the  powers  of  the  understanding;, 
faith  is  ever  kept  in  view,  as  the  regula- 
tor and  director  of  the  heart  ; — purifying 


' o 

Vi  PREFACE. 

all  its  affections,  and  diffusing  through- 
out a  delicious  peace  :  thus  while  ever 
watchfully  and  indefutigably  employed 
in  clearing  away  the  obstructions  in  the 
road  towards  the  joys  of  heaven,  it  al- 
ready constitutes  happiness  on  earth. 

liut  to  recognize  all  the  beauties  of 
virtue,  to  taste  all  the  sweets  of  piety, 
and  present  to  the  eyes  of  erring  man,  a 
true  and  cjficii'.nl  model  of  a  Christian 
Life,  we  must  not  rest  strictly  within 
the  boundaries  which  separate  faith  from 
irreligion,  and  the  dominion  of  morality 
from  that  of  the  vices  and  passions. 
This  middle  way — via  media — hemmed 
in  by  so  many  reservations  in  favour  of 
the  gratification  of  the  senses, — of  pride, 
— of  worldly  interests, — ever  dissatisfied, 
and  too  much  taken  up  with  mundane 
attachments, — is  consequently  cold  and 
indifferent,  sullied  with  numerous  de- 
fects,deprived  ofdivine  consolations, and 
always  exposed  to  the  most  dangerous 
tendencies  of  fallinij  into  sin.  It  oxhib- 
ite  an  incessant  vaccillation  between 
good  and  bad — between  virtue  and  vice  : 
like  the  feeble  and  languishing  life  of 
a  man  who  confining  himself  to  a  por- 
tion of  nourishment  barely  sufficient  to 
keep  him  from  the  jaws  of  death,  may 
) . .Q 


o o 

PREFACE.  vii 

struggle  out  a  sickly  existence,  but  he 
will  undoubtedly  fall  under  the  first  at- 
tack of  a  Violent  malady. 

To  prevent  the  grievous  and  inevitable 
consequences  o('a  life  led  in  this  manner, 
—  of  -an  halitual  tepidity, — of  a  sloth 
which  is  in  direct  opposition  to  the  sub- 
lime precepts  and  elevated  hopes  of 
faith,  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  enter 
with  a  generous  courage  on  the  ro;id  of 
christian  practice.  For  this  end  we  must 
above  all  things,  be  fully  penetrated 
with  the  spirit  of  our  Saviour,  Jksus 
Christ,  and  apply  ourselves  to  thorough- 
ly understand  His  thoughts,  His  words, 
and  His  actions  ;  in  order  to  render  our 
thoughts,  words,  and  actions  in  all 
things  conformable  to  His.  For,  xrhat- 
cver  Jksus  Christ  has  done  in  the  flesh 
for  all  men,  that,  every  one  of  us  is 
obliged  to  do  for  himself.  It  is  only  in 
this  way,  we  can  participate  in  the 
fruits  of  the  redemption,  and  merit  the 
glorious  title  of  children  of  God  : — Jf 
any  vian  have  not  the  spirit  of  Christ,  he 
is  none  of  His  Whosoever  are  led  by 
the  spirit  of  God,  then  are  the  Sons  of 
God.*  It  is  then  indispensable  to  dis- 
engage our  Christian  sentiments  from 
*  Rom.  viii.  9,  and  14. 

0 o 


) Q 

viii  PREFACE. 

the  impure  intermixture  of  worldly 
ideas — from  secular  prejudices  by  which 
they  are  obscured  and  corrupted  if  not 
entirely  strangled.  This  is  the  first  and 
paramount  requisite  of  a  life  troly 
Christian. 

We  must  not  however  confine  our  ef- 
forts to  bL'3iitifu]  speculations,  or  bril- 
liant theories, — to  vain  projects  of  ideal 
perfection, — to  reading  and  meditation 
without  profit.  We  must  come  to  prac- 
tice,— to  practice  full  of  serious  earnest- 
ness,— to  a  daily  and  sustained  applica- 
tion of  Christian  maxims,  in  nil  the  cir- 
circumstances  of  our  thoughts,  our  pro- 
jects, our  enterprises,  and  our  occu- 
pations. In  all  situations,  in  all  the  vi- 
cissitudes of  life. — in  piospeiity  and  ad- 
versity, in  health  and  in  sickness, — nil 
our  thou<rhts,  words,  and  actions  ought 
to  he  inspired,  regulated,  and  directed 
by  the  principles  of  our  holy  faith  and 
of  christi;in  morality.  If  our  soul  is 
deeply  penetrated  with  these  principles 
and  filled  with  these  sentiments,  they 
will  be  reproduced  and  realized  without 
difficulty  in  all  our  connexions  with 
mankind.  From  the  spirit  of  humility 
and  of  charity,  with  which  our  hearts 
shall  be  penetrated,  will  be  diffused  over 

o o 


_ o 

PREFACE.  ix 

our  whole  exterior,  an  amiable  modesty, 

a  mildness,  a  deliy;htt"ul  amenity,  which 

will  enable  all  who  approach  us  to  per- 

'  ceive  that  God  is  in  all  our  actions,  and 

.that  we  are  actuated  by  His  divine  in- 

[  fluence.     There  will  exhale,  as  it  were, 

from   our   whole   person,   an    odour   ot" 

sanctity,    which   wilT  bring    back    the 

thoughts  of  God  and  of  viiiue  into  souls 

of  the  most  abandoned  character. 

And  although  the  faithful  practice  of 
these  evangelical  virtues  may  cost  us 
not  a  little,  shall  we  not  be  most  amply 
recompensed  for  all  our  trouble  by  the 
immediate  result  of  these  virtues  ] 

How  many  are  the  evils  from  which 
they  will  deliver  us  1  In  wha^nuinber- 
less  ways  can  they  not  alleviate  the 
burden  oi'  these  evils  interwoven  with 
our  earthly  sojourn  ]  What  joy  and  se- 
renity will  they  not  maintain  in  our 
souls  ]  What  undiminished  confidence, 
what  mutual  condescension,  what  heav- 
enly peace,  will  they  not  diffuse  in 
every  domestic  circle  l  And  although 
the  world  forsakes  us,  and  although 
doomed  to  experience  desolation  within 
and  without,  can  there  be  anything:  pain- 
ful, anything  terrible,  to  a  christian,  who 
has   his   mind    and    thoughts   fixed   on 


o o 

X  PREFACE. 

heaven  1  What  can  he  fear,  and  for 
what  may  he  not  liope, — he  who  has  for 
his  defense  and  support,  the  arm  of  the 
Must  High  1 

Among  the  productions,  which  are 
powerlully  adapted  to  nourish  and  sus- 
tain the  fervour  of  pious  souls,  and  kin- 
dle it  anew  in  luliewarm  christians, 
must  be  placed  in  the  first  rank,  the 
works  of  these  pious  monks  and  hermits, 
who  after  quitting  the  world,  its  vain 
pleasures,  and  idle  illusions,  passed  their 
lives  in  subduing  their  passions, — in 
probin<^  and  purifying  the  most  secret 
Iblds  of  their  hearts, — in  contemplating 
the  things  of  heaven,  and  in  advancing 
every  dav  still  farther  in  the  way  of  per- 
fection. Such  among  others  are  the 
works  of  T/iomas  a  Kempis  in  the  iSth, 
and  of  Louis  le  Blois  in  the  following 
century.  I  heir  works  form  a  real  treas- 
ure of  piety,  and  it  has  been  long  a 
cause  of  regret,  that  they  have  not  been 
better  known  and  more  generally  circu- 
lated. 

The  principal  works  of  piety  written 
by  Thomas  a  KcvLpis.  (exclusive  of  the 
Jmitatiim  of  Ckrist,  which  some  deny  to 
be  his,)  are  the LUUe  Garden  of  Roses,d^n(\ 
the  Valley  of  Lilies.   These  two  (of  which 

c o 


o c 

PREFACE.  Xi 

a  correct  translation  is  now  for  the  first 
time  presented  to  the  pious  reader,)  pos- 
sess advantages  over  the  Imilation  itself; 
— inasmuch  as  they  are  more  practical, 
more  in  detail,  better  adapted  to  the 
individual  wants  of  the  faithful,  and 
more  within  the  comprehension  of  the 
many.  Persons  of  every  rank  and  con- 
dition, will  here  find  an  i^iexhaustible 
fund  of  the  most  solid  advice,  of  the 
sagest  counsels,  and  of  the  various  max- 
ims applicable  to  their  particular  state, 
interior  and  exterior. 

The  instructions  of  Thomas,  a  Kempis 
are  addressed  to  religious  communities, 
who  were  not  entirely  shut  out  from  the 
world  by  the  impassable  barrier  of  the 
cloister.  They  were  consequently  ex- 
posed to  the  contagion  of  its  maxims  and 
examples.  It  is  against  these  dangers, 
that  the  pious  author  wishes  to  protect 
them.  L'angers  similar  to  these,  and 
even  still  greater,  await  christians  who 
live  altogether  in  the  world, and  who  have 
not  the  advantage  of  refreshing  and  re- 
newing their  pious  dispositions,  every 
day  in  the  solitude  and  hf)ly  exercises  of 
a  religious  house.  The  LiiHe  Garden  of 
Roses  and  Vallei/  of  Lilies  are  therefore 
perfectlv  adapted  to  their  spiritual  wants.  | 

J o 


o 

1 

Xll  PREFACE. 

There  can  be  no  doubt,  that  these  tvTo 
little  works  will  contribute  l;irf?ely  to 
the  moral  and  relijE^ious  amelioration  of 
those  who  will  read  them  with  suifahle 
(iispoiiilions:  for  that  which  causes  many 
christians  to  lose  much  of  the  good  fruit, 
which  they  might  otherwise  derive  from 
spiritual  reading,  is,  the  careless,  ineffi- 
cient mannegf  in  which  it  is  performed. 
Those  who  wish  to  read  with  profit,  are 
earnestly  requested  to  leisurely  peruse 
the  following  instructions  ;  which  are  a 
compendium  of  all  that  hnve  been  hand- 
ed down  on  this  subject,  by  the  masters 
and  directors  of  a  spiritual  life. — 

RULES  FOR  PIOUS  READING. 

1,  Before  reading  as  before  prayer, 
prepare  thy  soul  to  receive  the  outpour- 
ing of  the  divine  grace.  For  this  end 
determine  on  a  certiin  time  for  rend- 
ing, and  during  this  time,  forget  the 
world  and  all  the  affiirs  thereof;  keep 
thy  soul  steadily  fixed  on  God,  and  look 
on  Him  only.  Invoke  His  light,  and 
His  inspiration,  and  dispose  thyself  to 
follow  them  in  every  p:irticular. 

2.  Apply  all  thy  mind  to  the  subject 
of  thy  leading.     Read  leisurely,  atten- 

c- ^ o 


O ■■ Q 

PREFACE.  Xiii 

tively,  and  without  a  spirit  of  curiosity 
or  of  criticism.  Pause  when  God  vouch- 
safes to  speak  to  thy  heart,  and  pass  not 
on  from  one  chapter,  until  thou  wilt 
have  extracted  the  favours  and  graces, 
which  God  has  there  enclosed  for  thy 
benefit. 

3.  Sum  up  with  devout  and  tender  af- 
fection, the  pious  thoughts,  with  which 
thou  hast  been  entertained  ;  form  reso- 
lutions on  each  particular  ;  and  foresee 
the  occasions  which  may  be  presented 
of  putting  in  practice  the  instructions 
and  information  derived.  Thank  God 
for  the  graces,  which  He  has  vouch- 
safed to  grant,  and  for  the  pious  thoughts 
with  which  He  has  inspired  thee.  Im- 
plore the  strength,  necessary  to  accom- 
plish what  He  requires  at  thy  hands, 
and  rec:il  from  time  to  time, — for  in- 
stance,— at  the  striking  of  the  clock,  or 
the  toll  of  the  bell, — the  promises  made 
to  thy  Crkator  and  Soverkig.v  Lord. 
At  night,  compare  thy  conduct,  during 
the  day,  with  the  resolutions  made  in  the 
morning;  deplore  in  the  presence  of 
God,  the  sins  with  which  thou  canst 
charge  thy  conscience  ;  humbly  hope  for 
the  pardon  promised  the  contrite  and 
penitent  heart;  renew  thy  holy  purpose 


O ( 

Xiv  PREFACE. 

of  being  more  faithful  for  the  future  ; — 
beg  the  aid  of  the  divine  grace,  and  al- 
ways recomnrience  with  fresh  ardour 
and  renewed  courage.  Be  punctual  and 
exact  in  following  this  simple  and  easy 
plan  in  all  thy  rending  and  meditation, 
and  God  will  load  the.-  with  benefits  and 
blessings  in  all  abundance. 


THE  DEVOUT  CHRISTIAN  MAY  REAP 

MUCH  BENEFIT  BY  OBSERVING 

THE    FOLLOWING    METHOD 

OF  HOLY  MEDITATION. 

Be  mindful  of  thy  last  end,  and  thou 
shall  never  sin.* 

All  the  earth  is  made  desolate  because 
there  is  none  that  thinJ.eth  in  his  heart.i 

Reflections  made  on  certain  truths 
for  the  purpose  of  becoming  better,  is 
called  McdUoHon. 

To  meditate  then  is  to  reflect, — to 
think  seriously. 

To  be  saved,  it  is  necessary  to  medi- 
tate ;  because  there  can  be  no  salvation, 
*  Eccli.  vii.  40.  t  Jer.  xii. 


o- 


o — 0 

PREFACE.  XV 

without  reflection  on  the  means  of  ob- 
taining it. 

We  must  meditate  to  be  fully  penetra- 
ted with  the  great  truths  of  salvation, 
and  to  conform  our  liie  and  manners  to 
that  object. 

We  must  meditate  to  oe  enabled  to 
fight  with  courage  against  the  three  great 
enemies  of  our  salvation, — the  devil,  the 
world,  and  ourselves. 

We  must  meditate  for  the  purpose  of 
attaining  a  knowledge  of  God  and  of 
ourselves. 

We  must  meditate  to  conquer  our  pas- 
sions, and  to  clearly  comprehend  the 
misfortune  of  those  who  may  have  aban- 
doned themselves  to  their  destructive 
sway.  .» 

We  must  meditate  to  fully  conceive 
the  vanity  of  all  sublunary  things,  and 
to  detach  ourselves  therefrom. 

In  fine  we  must  meditate  to  obtain  an 
Imitation  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the 
model,  after  which  we  should  copy  ;  and 
accordino;  to  which  we- shall  be  judged. 

***  We  can  meditate  on  all  subjects 
connected  with  Gdo,  our  salvation,  the 
correction  of  our  defects  and  the  prac- 
tice of  virtue. 

o c 


o c 

Xvi  PREFACE. 

MANNER  OF  MEDITATING. 

To  meditate  with  profit,  we  must — 
1.  Place  ourselves  in  ihe  presence  of 

God  and  adore  Him. 

'2.  Rellect  on  our  sins,  and  make  an  act 

of  contrition. 

3.  Unite  ourselves  to  Jesus  Christ  ; 
for  without  Him  we  can  do  nothing 
pleasing  to  Gon. 

4.  Implore  the  light  of  the  Holy 
Ghost;  whereas  without  His  aid  we 
cannot  form  even  one  good  thought. 

f;;^  This  is  termed  the  Preparation. 
We  must  afterwards  — 

1.  Ponder  on  the  subject  or  important 
truth,  on  which  we  desire  to  meditate  : 
such  as  the  Certainty  of  Death,  the  Ter- 
rors of  the  Lrist  Jiulginent^  the  Fear  of 
Hell,  the  Jnys  of  Heaven,  &c.,  &c. 

2.  Excite  in  the  heart,  holy  sentiments 
and  tender  affections  on  that  particular 
subject,  or  important  truth. 

3.  After  these  reflections  and  pious 
sentiments,  we  must  take  an  introspec- 
tive view  of  ourselves,  to  examine  first 
regarding  the  past,  how  we  have  con- 
ducted ourselves  in  reference  to  the  sub- 
ject under  meditation  ;  afterwards  to  ex- 
amine how  we  are  disposed  for  the  pres- 


u 

PREFACE.  Xvii 


ent ;  and  lastly  to  form  resolutions  for 
the  future.  We  must  not  however  con- 
tent ourselves  with  general  resolutions, 
we  must  always  form  our  resolutions,  by 
particulars,— each  one  by  itself;  in  order 
to  put  them  afterwards  in  practice. 

This  is  called  the  Body  ur  SubsLance  of 
the  JMt'ditatiov. 

To  conclude  our  Meditation,  we 
must — 

1.  Thank  God  for  having  permitted  us 
to  appear  in  His  presence,  and  for  the 
grace,  which  He  vouchsafed  to  grant, 
during  our  Meditation. 

2.  Ask  pardon  for  our  distractions. 

3.  Otler  up  our  resolutions,  and  im- 
plore the  grace  of  God  to  accomplish 
them. 

4.  Place  our  resolutions  under  the 
protection  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 

5.  Finally,  make  choice  of  some  holy 
thought,  with  which  we  have  been  par- 
ticularly affected  :  or  of  some  pious  sen- 
timent in  connection  with  the  subject  of 
our  meditation,  in  order  to  recall  it  to 
mind  sometimes  during  the  day  :  this  is 
termed  a  Spiritual  Nosegay. 


1a 


O c 

Xviii  PREFACE. 

ADVICE  ON  MEDITATION. 

For  a  due  consideration  of  the  subject, 
every  one  should  ask  himself: — 

1.  What  ought  I  believe  and  know  on 
this  subject'] 

2.  What  ought  I  do  in  reference  to 
this  subject  ? 

3.  What  have  I  done  up  to  the  present 
timel 

4.  What  shall  I  do  for  the  future  1 

5.  How  and  by  what  means  shall  I  do  if? 
To    produce    suitable    affections    we 

should  excite  the  following  sentiments  : 

1.  Sorrow  for  our  sloth,  our  tepidity, 
and  our  numerous  defects. 

2.  A  firm  resolution  of  correcting  our- 
selves. 

3.  Watchful  distrust  of  our  fickleness 
and  weakness. 

4.  To  call  forth  sentiments  of  the  love 
of  God,  and  to  excite  ourselves  to  over- 
come all  difficulties  in  the  way  of  our 
eternal  salvation. 

Jn  the  iMine  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
the  pious  Header  is  earneslly  req^iest' 
ed  to  pray  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of 

THE  TRANSLATOR. 

O : ( 


CONTENTS. 


GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 


CHAP.  PAGE. 

1.  On  .seeking  the  company  of  the  good, 

and  flying  that  of  the  bad  .         .         1 

2.  On  flying  the  world,  and  the  snares  of 

the  devil 5 

3.  True  wisdom  must  be  sought  of  God  10 

4.  On  warring  against  our  own  vices       .  13 

5.  On  tlie  necessity  of  acquiring  tiie  grace 

of  devotion 18 

6.  Of    hearing  and  reading    the    divine 

word 20 

7.  On  divine  consolation  in  tribulation     .      24 

8.  On  the  joy  of  a  good   conscience  in 

tiie  iloiy  Spirit  ....      28 

9.  On  the  edifying  demeanor  of  an  hum- 

ble brother 33 

10.  On  the  instability  of  the  human  heart  40 

11.  On  trust  in  God  in  time  of  trouble        .  45 

12.  On  the  efficacy  of  prayer,  and  the  ad- 

vantages of  pious  reading         .         .      49 

13.  On  the  praises  of  charity  and  its  fruits      61 

14.  On  watching  andstnvingagainst  temp- 

tations          70 

15.  On  bearingone  another's  burthens        .      73 
Ifi.  On  the  love  of  Christ,  and  hatred  of  the 

world 80 

17.  On  the  imitation  of  the  most  holy  life 

of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 

18.  On  the  eternal  praise  of  God         .        .    100 


o c 

XX  CONTENTS. 

THE  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

CHAP.  PAGE. 

Prologue 115 

1.  On  the  three-fold  state  of  human  life  .  117 

2.  On  the  praise  of  God,  during  the  bar- 
renness or  tepidity  of  devotion         .  123 

3.  On  the  probation  of  the  just  by  adver- 
sity        127 

4.  Of  the  true  lover  of  God        .        .        .  liO 

5.  On  the  gratitude  of  the  soul,  for  every 
good 133 

6.  On  the  conformity  of  the  devout  soul 
to  the  cross 136 

7.  On  the  walking  of  a  pure  soul  with  God  13b 

8.  On  the  peace  of  heart,  and  rest  in  God  141 

9.  On  recollection  of  the  heart  with  God  .  144 

10.  On  watching  and  prayer  against  ten:ip- 
tations        ...  .        .    147 

11.  On  the  fear  ofeternal  punishment,  as 
a  preservative  against  the  vices  of 
tlie  flesii  and  pride  of  spirit        .        .    152 

12.  On  the  memory  of  our  Lord's  passion, 
as  a  remedy  agamst  dissipation  or 
distraction  of  mind     ....    156 

13.  On  the  invocation  of  the  holy  name  of 
Jesus,  and  of  the  blessed  Mary,  His 
Virgin  Mother  .        .        .        .    IGl 

14  On  the  necessity  of  struggling  manful- 
ly against  vice,  after  the  cvample  of 
the  saints 169 

15.  On  the  love  of  retirement  and  holy 
perseverance      1T4 

16.  On  divine  consolation  in  tribulation  for 
Christ's  sake 177 

17.  On  watching  over  the  conscience,  in 

I  every  place  and  at  all  limes     .        .    182 

o '■ 


o ( 

CONTENTS.  Xxi 

18  On  solitude  and  silence         .        .        .189 

19  On  the  refuge  of  the  poor,  in  God  their 

helper 199 

20.  On  the  poor  and  sick  Lazarus        .        .    205 

21.  On    tlie    clear  understanding  of  the 

Hoiy  Scriptures         ....    211 

22.  On  the  great  merit  of  patience  for  the 

sake  of  Christ 219 

23.  On  the  good  conversation  of  the  hum- 

ble christian 222 

24.  On  prudent  conversation,  and  brother- 

ly compassion 226 

25.  On  the  uncertain  hour  of  death,  and 

the  speedy  end  of  this  life        .        .    232 

26.  On  the  eternal  praise  of  God,  and  the 

desire  of  eternal  glory         .        .        .    241 

27.  Of  the  praises  sung  by  the  holy  Angels 

in  Heaven 249 

28.  A  prayer  of  the  devout  lover  of  God    .    253 
2J.  On  union  of  the  heart  with  God     .        .    233 

30.  On  true  peace,  to  be  sought  for  in  God 

alone 264 

31.  That  our  intention  should  be  pure  and 

always  directed  towards  God  .    269 

32.  The  prayer  of  an  humble  and  a  con- 

trite spirit 275 

33  Of  holy  fellowship  with  .Tesus  and  with 

his  saints 278 

34  On   placing   our  sovereign   good  and 

farthest  aim  in  God  alone         .        .    289 


o 


GARDEN   OF  R  08  E^". 


CHAP.  I. 

ON  SEEKING  THE  COMPANY  OF  THE 

GOOD,  AND  FLYING  THAT 

OF  THE  BAD. 


"  Cum  sancto  sanctus  eris,  et  cum 
perverso  perverteris* 

"  With  the  holy,  thou  wilt  he  holy ; 
and  with  the  perverse,  thou  wilt  be 
perverted.''^ 

1.  Be  diligently  on  thy  guard, 
beloved  brother  in  Christ,  lest  thou 
be  seduced  by  the  company  of  false 
and  wicked  men,  or  of  those  who 

*  Ps.  xvii.  26. 


-0 


o o 

2  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

live  without  discipli'ie  ;  but  draw 
near  to  the  virtuous,  to  those  who 
cr3  iViends  of  oidei  and  to  the  well 
inrsir-.K.ted  ;  from  whom  thou  wilt 
only  hear  words  that  are  good,  full 
of  comfort  and  edification. 

For  as  the  unkindlcd  coal  warms 
and  tjlows  when  thrown  on  a  burn- 
ing fire,  so  a  lukewarm  Christian, 
in  the  company  of  a  pious  and  fer- 
vent brother,  often  recovers  his 
piety  and  fervour  ;  and  as  he  grows 
in  the  knowledge  of  good,  acquires 
also  the  sweet  odour  of  virtue. 

It  was  thus  that  the  apostles,  from 
following  Christ, became  holy  men, 
and  received  the  fulness  of  the  Holy 
Spirit. 

It  was  thus  that  Mark  from  fol- 
lowing St.  Peter,  became  learned 
in  the  holy  gospel ;  which  with  much 
gladness  he  heard  from  the  very  lips 
of  that  blessed  apostle. 

It  was  thus  that  bv  following  St. 
O ( 


o o 

GARDEX  OF  ROSES.  3 

Paul,  Timothy  became  learned  in 
the  Holy  Scriptures  which  he  had 
studied  from  his  early  youth  ;  and 
furthermore,  when  the  grace  of 
God  advanced  in  him,  was  ordain- 
ed bishop,  at  Ephesus,  by  the  mas- 
ter who  loved  him,  as  a  loving  fa- 
ther does  his  only  child. 

2.  It  was  thus  that  Polycarp,  the 
disciple  of  Saint  John  the  Apostle, 
became  a  glowing  preacher  of  the 
faith  to  the  people,  and  suffered 
with  Saint  Ignatius  a  glorious  mar- 
t\Tdom  ; — that  our  blessed  father 
Augustine,  instructed  and  baptized 
by  Saint  Ambrose,  became  that  glo- 
rious doctor  of  the  holy  Church, 
whose  fame  is  spread  over  all  the 
earth  ; — and  so  of  that  holy  youth 
Maurus,  who,  following  the  foot- 
steps of  Saint  Benedict,  was  there- 
after, by  God's  blessing,  a  holy  ab- 
bot, as  famed  for  his  virtues  as  for 
his  miracles. 
• O 


Q O 

4  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

And  tliijs  it  was  that  Bernard, 
that  man  well  beloved  of  God,  in 
the  school  of  the  venerable  Ste- 
phen, Abbot  of  Citeaux,  became 
the  light  of  religion  in  his  order : 
shining  like  a  clear  star  in  the  fir- 
mament. 

Innumerable  are  the  examples, 
both  ancient  and  modern,  which 
prove  that  the  society  of  the  good 
tends  to  the  safety  of  the  soul,  and 
that  of  the  wicked  to  its  perdition  ; 
that  good  instruction  is  profitable, 
and  evil  conversation  dangerous  ; 
and  that  silence  and  solitude  in- 
crease our  spiritual  advancement, 
while  the  dissipation  and  tumult  of 
the  world  retard  its  growth. 

Then  either  live  alone  as  much 
as  possible  and  labour  in  the  ser- 
vice of  God  ;  or  join  thyself  to  the 
devout  and  holy,  with  whom  thou 
mayest  discourse  on  the  virtues  of 
Jesus  Christ. 
O ( 


) o 

GARDEN'  OF  ROSES.  5 

But  see  that  thou  dost  not  fathom 
through  vain  curiosity,  the  holy 
mysteries  of  religion  ;  seek  rather 
to  search  into  thy  own  faults,  and  to 
apply  to  the  wounds  of  thy  soul,  all 
necessary  and  wholesome  reme- 
dies. 


CHAP.  II. 

ox  FLYING  THE  WORLD,  AND  THE 
SNARES  OF  THE  DEVIL. 


"  AudienSf  sapiens,  sapientior 
eritr* 

"  A  wise  man  shall  hear,  and  shall 
be  wiser." 

1 .  Young  man,  who  yet  lovest 
virtue,  hearken  to.  the  words  of  eter- 
nal wisdom  ;  from  these  thou  wilt 


> 


*  Prnv.  i.  5. 


o o 

6  GARDEN   OF  ROSES. 

draw  more  instruction  than  from  the 
combined  discourse  of  all  the  wis- 
dom of  the  world. 

According  to  the  Avords  of  the 
Apostle  St.  John  ;  "  Love  not  the 
world,  nor  the  things  which  are  in 
the  world."*  Cast  them  away  as 
dung — reject  them  as  poison. 

Think  always  of  eternity,  and 
temptations  shall  cease  to  allure. 

Avoid  every  thing  that  may  hurt 
thy  soul  :  be  not  an  object  of  scan- 
dal to  any  one  :  and  watch  well 
that  thou  drop  not  one  unbecoming 
word. 

Should  thy  father  according  to 
the  flesh  seek  to  turn  thee  from  the 
service  of  God,  answer  him  that 
thou  hast  a  Father  who  is  in  hea- 
ven. Should  thy  mother  or  sister 
oppose  the  execution  of  thy  de- 
signs, tell  them  they  are  mortal, 
and    may    be    deceived  ;     adding, 

i  *  1  John  ii.  15. 

o o 


: o 

GARDEX   OF  ROSES.  7 

"  He  who  made  me,  He  shall 
guide  me." 

He  that  jrives  himself  up  to  the 
service  of  God,  shall  want  for  noth- 
ing. 

Commend  to  the  keeping  of  God 
all  thy  friends  ;  pray  for  their  con- 
version and  perseverance  in  well- 
doing ;  ask  above  all  that  their  at- 
tachment to  the  things  of  this  world 
may  never  make  them  offend  God, 
and  thereby  lose  the  kingdom  of 
heaven. 

The  dissipation  of  frequent  visits 
will  bring  trouble  on  thy  soul.  The 
world  passes  away,  and  the  concu- 
piscence thereof.* 

Even  so  thou  also  shalt  pass 
away,  and  all  that  are  dear  to  thee. 

2.  "  Many  are  the.  snares  of  the 
devil,  and  they  that  are  anxious  to 
become   rich,   or   gTeat,    fall    into 

*  1  John  ii.  17. 


o o 

8  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

temptation,  and  into  many  unprofi- 
table and  hurtful  desires."* 

We  have  daily  snares  in  our  meat 
and  drink,  in  our  wandering  eye, 
our  idle  tongue,  the  inconstancy  of 
our  hearts,  and  distaste  for  good 
works. 

Honour,  riches,  and  power,  are 
but  vanity  ;  and  what  seekest  thou 
in  the  world,  or  what  dost  thou  de- 
sire to  see  in  the  world,  which  is 
nothing  and  vanity  ?  for  all  is  van- 
ity, frailty,  and  deceit,  except  the 
love  of  God,  and  perseverance  in 
well-doing. 

Thou  canst  not  love  God  per- 
fectly, till  thou  despisest  thyself, 
and  the  world,  for  the  love  of  God, 
who  will  render  thee  "  an  hundred 
fold  now  in  this  time,  and  in  the 
world  to  come  life  everlasting.''! 

3.  Oh,  fellow  pilgrim  and  broth- 
er, let  it  not  seem  hard  to  be  with- 

*  1  Tim.  vi.  9.                     t  Mark  x.  30. 
O : 'v 


GARDEN'  OF  ROSES. 


drawn  from  thy  friends  and  ac- 
quaintance, who  are  often  an  ob- 
stacle to  thy  eternal  salvation,  and 
the  means  of  lessening  the  divine 
consolations. 

Where  aro  those  friends  with 
whom  thou  hast  laughed  and  sport- 
ed ?  Alas  !  I  know  not : — they  are 
gone,  and  I  am  left  alone.  Where 
are  the  visions  of  yesterday  ?  They 
have  melted  away.  Where  is  our 
meat  and  our  drink?  They  are  past 
for  ever.  And  have  thy  privations 
been  injm-ious,  or  hath  thy  absti- 
nence been  hurtful  ? — Thou  must 
reply  that  they  have  hurt  thee  not  at 
all.  Therefore  is  not  he  alone  wise 
who  renounces  the  world  and  its 
pleasures  for  the  service, — the  rea- 
sonable service, — of  God  ?  Most 
assuredly  he  is.  Woe  to  all  those 
whom  the  world  inebriates  with  its  J 
charms  ;  for  soon  all  pleasant  com- 
i  pany  flieth  away,  and  is   lost    in  | 


o 

10  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

death.  Behold  !  all  those  I  loved 
are  dead,  and  never  more  will  they 
return  :  nay  I  too  shall  soon  follow 
them  at  the  call  of  God.  They 
were  as  passing  guests  on  earth — 
I  too  am  a  pilgrim.  They  have 
left  all — as  1  must  forsake  all.  As 
a  shadow  they  have  passed  away 
— I  too  like  them  shall  pass  away. 


CHAP.  III. 

TRUE  WISDOM  MUST  BE  SOUGHT  OF 
GOD. 


"  Bcatus  vir,  qui  invenit  sapien- 
tiamr* 

"  Blessed  is  the  mein  that  Jindeth 
wisdom.^' 

1 .  Seek  the  true  wisdom,  which 

•  Prov.  iii.  13. 


o o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  11 

Christ  hath  taught  us,  and  pointed 
out  by  his  example. 

He  is  truly  wise  who  hates  ini- 
quity, who  speaks  the  truth,  and 
works  the  works  of  justice  : — who 
leads  a  sober  and  chaste  life,  who 
is  pious,  humble,  and  devout ;  and 
who  shuns  the  perilous  rocks  of 
temptation : — he  possesses  true  wis- 
dom, and  is  pleasing  to  God.  He 
enjoys  the  favour  of  men — his  con- 
science is  pure — sorrow  assails  him 
not — peace  is  his  possession — and 
God  often  pours  into  his  breast,  con- 
solations, that  the  world  can  neither 
know  nor  relish, 

2.  But  the  wisdom  of  the  world 
is  vanity,  and  is  reputed  as  foolish- 
ness in  the  sight  of  God.  It  leads 
into  error  those  that  love  it,  and 
finally  becomes  their  torment.  For 
the  Avisdom  of  the  flesh  is  the  death 
of  the  soul,  and  striketh  alike  both 
those  who  tjive  themselves  up  to 

o —c 


O 0 

12  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

the  alluring  pleasures  of  sense  and 
those  who  wallow  in  delights  ;  for 
pain  and  sorrowful  regret  are  all 
that  remain  after  the  shameful  en- 
joyments of  the  flesh. 

But  true  wisdom  is  drawn  from 
the  profound  words  and  holy  actions 
of  Christ ;  by  which  He  invites  us 
to  despise  the  world,  to  fly  from  its 
pleasures,  to  curb  our  flesh,  to  bear 
with  sorrow,  to  bow  to  toil,  and  to 
cherish  virtue. 


O 0 

GARDEX  OF  ROSES.  13 

CHAP.  IV. 

ON    WARRING    AGAINST    OUR    OWN 
VICES. 


"  Rcgnum  cczlorum  vim  patitur y* 

"  The  kingdom  of  heaven  suffer- 
eth  violence^ 

1 .  Many  begin  well,  yet  few  per- 
severe ;  but  how  very  small  is  the 
number  of  those  who  attain  perfec- 
tion ! 

For  either  we  too  easily  fall  be- 
fore the  allurements  of  the  flesh, 
or  we  are  puff'ed  up  with  pride,  or 
we  are  cast  down  by  adversity. 

Alas  !  how  seldom  is  found  one 
who  loves  God  purely,  overcomes 
himself  completely,  and  makes  an 
entire  renunciation  of  all  his  affec- 
tions. 

*  Matt.  xi.  12. 

C ( 


o ^ o 

14  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

'*  Perfection,"  said  a  devout  per- 
son, "  is  a  rare  bird  ;  because  it  is 
too  difiicult  to  overcome  oneself." 
Bui  he  that  works  not  hard  to  at- 
tain virtue,  shall  never  be  filled 
with  its  sweetness. 

Every  virtue  hath  a  sweetness 
peculiar  to  itself,  to  refresh  him 
that  worketh  well  ;  but  he  that 
clings  to  vice,  begets  for  himself 
an  evil  end,  makes  shipwreck  of 
his  honour,  destroys  repose,  lays 
up  a  store  of  infirmities,  increases 
sorrow,  and  deprives  himself  of  the 
relish  of  what  is  good  and  virtuous. 
But  he  that  denies  himself  lawfnl 
pleasures,  increasca  me  surety  of 
resisting  such  as  are  unlawful. 

2.  He  that  muzzles  the  mouth  of 
the  hound,  needs  not  fear  his  bark  ; 
so  he  that  keeps  strict  silence  shall 
not  olTend  with  his  lips. 

He  that  willingly  lives  retired 
and  in  silence,  is  far  removed  from 
O O 


o ^ 

GARDEN   OF  ROSES.  15 

falsehood  and  bickering  ;  —  from 
evil  speaking  and  detraction  ; — 
from  anger  and  murmuring. 

He  that  hearkens  not  to  evil  dis- 
courses, and  shuts  his  eyes  on  the 
vanities  of  this  world,  more  easily 
avoids  its  snares,  and  turns  away 
his  thoughts  from  its  vain  imagina- 
tions :  for  a  watch  over  the  senses 
is  the  foundation  of  purity,  the  dis- 
cipline of  peace,  and  the  mirror  of 
devotion. 

When  wrath  takes  possession  of 
the  breast,  wisdom  takes  to  flight 
even  from  the  wise.  He  that  speaks 
hastily  is  like  a  snarling  hound  ; 
but  a  meek  answer  breaks  the  vio- 
lence of  wrath,  and  gives  to  the  af- 
flicted, roses  in  the  stead  of  thorns. 

Blessed  is  the  prudent  tongue  ; 
for  it  heals  the  wounds  of  the  an- 
gry. 

3.  He  that  resisteth  his  evil  in- 
clinations in  their  birth,  and  whilst 
1 O 


Q C 

16  GARDEN   OF  ROSES. 

they  are  yet  weak,  shall  more  easily 
destroy  them  than  when  they  will 
have  acquired  more  strength. 

4.  He  that  is  constant  in  the 
heavenly  exercises  of  prayer  and 
meditation,  is  like  the  prudent  gar- 
dener, who  plants  roses  and  lilies 
in  his  borders — and  has  sweet  joy 
in  store  :  for  he  will  greatly  rejoice 
hereafter  with  the  holy  angels,  in 
the  heavenly  paradise. 

He  that  preserves  purity  in  soul 
and  body  is  like  the  holy  angels  ; 
but  he  that  yields  to  liis  evil  incli- 
nations, arid  takes  pleasure  in  the 
depravity  of  his  thoughts,  is  the 
bondslave  of  Satan. 

It  may  be  a  hard  struggle  to  re- 
sist the  seductions  of  vice  ;  but  it 
shall  be  a  much  harder  punishment 
to  awake  in  the  fire  of  hell,  there  to 
be  tormented  forever. 

One  heat  allays  another  ;  and 
nail  drives  out  nail ;  but  idle  lausrh- 


-O 


o o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  17 

ter  is  put  to  flight  by  a  grave  and 
edifying  sadness. 

When  the  love  of  God  enters  the 
heart,  all  earthly  and  transitory  af- 
fections flee  away. 

He  is  wise  that  can  despise  the 
countless  allurements  of  this  world. 
The  dignities  of  the  tiara  or  the 
crown,  with  all  their  privileges,  are 
as  nothing  :  the  end  of  all  is  death 
and  the  grave,  w^orms,  and  ashes. 
How  high  soever  man  may  exalt 
himself,  he  is  nothing — death  strips 
him  of  all  Happy  is  that  pilgrim 
whose  home  is  in  heaven. 


O O 


c-^ o 

18  GARDEN'  OF  ROSES. 

CHAP.  V. 

ON    THE  NECESSITY    OF   ACQUIRING 
THE  GRACE  OF   DEVOTION. 


o- 


"  V(B  vobis,  qui  ridetis,  quia  Jie- 
hitisr* 

*'  Woe  to  you  that  laugh^for  yon 
shall  weep^ 

1.  As  virtue  cannot  exist  with 
vice,  so  devotion  is  not  to  be  ac- 
quired in  the  joyousness  of  feast 
and  festival,  but  in  sorrow  and  si- 
lence. 

Perfection  in  virtue  cannot  be  ob- 
tained at  once,  but  by  little  and  lit- 
tle ; — by  much  groaning  and  sor- 
row,— upheld  by  the  firm  resolve 
by  increasing  in  virtue  every  day, 
— of  frequently  doing  violence  to 
ones'self; — by    fasting,  watching, 

Luc.  vi.  25. 


o ' 

GARDEN   OF  ROSES.  19 

prayers,  meditation,  study,  holy 
reading,  manual  labour,  abstaining 
from  idle  talk,  and  willingly  re- 
maining in  secret. 

2.  All  joy  that  comes  not  from 
God,  passes  quickly  away,  and 
leaves  the  soul  stained  and  wound- 
ed. 

Words  that  edify,  bring  joy  to 
those  that  hear  them  ;  harsh  words 
give  pain  to  our  friends  :  but  idle 
words  rob  us  of  the  fruit  that  time 
would  have  produced 

Be  diligent  in  do'"g  good ;  pa- 
tient in  bearing  with  evil ;  and  thou 
wilt  be  nappy  an  me  days  of  thy 
life  :  for  in  both  thou  wilt  contin- 
ually glorify  God. 

It  seldom  happens  that  a  person 
is  not  in  one  or  other  of  these 
states, — sadness  or  joy  ;  but  happy 
is  he  who  turns  all  to  good,  and 
who  draws  profit  from  adversity. 

Whoever    loves    God,   receives 

o o 


. Q 

20  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

from  His  hand,  the  bitter  as  well  as 
the  sweet ;  and  both  with  equal 
gratitude.  Well  and  firmly  does 
he  stand,  who  placeth  not  his  hope 
in  himself  nor  in  man,  but  in  God. 


CHAP.  VI. 

ON     HEARING     AND     READING    THE 
DIVINE     WORD. 


6 


"  Beati,quiaudiunt  VerhumDeiy* 

"  Blessed  are  they  who  hear  the 
word  of  God  and  keep  it.'''' 

1 .  Worthless  are  all  human  con- 
solations if  they  hinder  such  as  are 
divine. 

When  thou  hearest  the  Holy 
Scripture  read,  remember  it  is  God 
who  speaketh  to  thee ;  humble  thy- 

*  Luc.  xi.  28.  I 


GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  21 

self  then,  and  receive  His  words 
with  a  grateful  heart. 

The  truth  is  not  to  be  despised 
because  of  the  simplicity  and  want 
of  learning  in  him  who  declares  it : 
for  he  that  leads  a  good  life  tcach- 
eth  well ;  and  he  that  readeth  or 
lectureth  well,  is  a  messenger  from 
God. 

A  faithful  teacher  passes  over 
in  silence  what  would  be  hurtlul, 
proclaims  what  is  profitable,  and 
speaks  without  pretence  or  var- 
nish ;  for  pure  simple  truth  always 
sounds  agreeably  in  the  ear. 

Subtle  discourses  are  hurtful  to 
simple  souls;  and  those  which 
sooth  our  vanity  often  lead  the 
spirit  into  error. 

He  who  in  his  discourse,  devi- 
ates from  truth,  is  the  enemy  of 
peace  :  those  who  hear  him  shall 
hardly  avoid  scandal. 

He  that  passeth  judgment  with 


I o 

22  GARDEN  OF  ROSES 

discretion  is  worthy  of  praise ;  but 
he  that  judges  harshly  and  without 
mercy,  is  unworthy  of  mercy. 

He  that  is  of  a  hasty  temper  does 
himself  much  harm — he  often  op- 
presses tlie  innocent,  secretly  rails 
at  those  in  power,  and  openly  casts 
ridicule  on  all  good  men. 

2.  He  that  is  of  deceitful  lips, 
abuses  the  confidence  of  those  that 
listen  to  him ;  therefore  his  friends 
shall  be  few. 

Publish  not  scandal ;  for  it  is 
well  to  be  silent :  proclaim  the 
truth  ;  for  it  is  salutary  :  be  mod- 
est ;  for  it  is  reasonable  :  hurt  no 
one  ;  for  it  is  just :  be  useful  to 
all ;  for  such  is  piety  :  and  edify 
thy  neighbour  by  word  and  deed  ; 
for  such  is  religion. 

The  prudent  man  thinks  before 
he  acts;  changes  not  unreasona- 
bly ;  speaks  with  reserve  concern- 
ing that  of  which,  he  is  ignorant ; 


) G 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  23 

and  affirms  not  lightly  what  is 
doubtful. 

The  silence  of  the  mouth  is  most 
profitable  to  the  peace  of  the  heart ; 
but  the  mouth  of  the  fool  is  always 
open  and  ready  for  strife. 

He  that  seeks  to  please  God, 
watches  over  his  heart  and  lips ; 
and  trembles  lest  he  lose  the  grace 
of  devotion,  or  give  ofTence  to  those 
who  love  peace. 

Fair  words,  albeit  many,  fill  not 
the  bag  ;  nor  shall  a  blaze  of  elo- 
quent words  sanctify  the  idle  or 
the  proud;  but  he  that  doth  good 
shall  find  good. 


-C 


24  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

CHAP.  YII. 

ON      DIVINE      CONSOLATION      IN 
TRIBULATION. 


"  Juxta  est  Dominus  hts,  gut 
tribulato  sunt  corded* 

*'  The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  them 
that  ore  of  o.  contrite  hearth 

1 .  There  is  no  one  in  this 
world,  howsoever  good  and  pioii.s 
he  may  be,  who  has  not  some  bur- 
then,— some  trouble  to  endure. 

When  therefore  thou  shalt  \w, 
in  tribulation  and  sorrow  of  heart, 
then  art  thou  with  Jesus  Christ  on 
the  cross.  But  on  the  other  hand, 
whenever  in  tlie  time  of  prayer, 
thou  art  sweetly  consoled  by  the 
grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  then  as  it 
were,  art  thou  raised  again  from  the 

*  Ps.  xxxiii.  19. 

o ^ o 


) o 

GARDEN   OF  ROSES.  25 

dead ;  coming  forth  like  Christ 
from  the  sepulchre  ;  and  together 
with  Him  thou  celebratest  the 
Pasch  in  newness  of  life,  rejoicing 
in  heart. 

When  words  of  harshness  or  of 
:  insult  are  addressed  to  thee,  then 
art  thou  made  to  drink  of  the  chal- 
ice of  the  Lord,  for  the  welfare  of 
thy  soul. 

2.  Murmur  not,  but  drink  the 
bitter  draught  of  thy  salvation  in 
silence  and  resignation — the  Lord 
himself  will  be  thy  sure  defence 
in  life  and  in  death.  God  will  never 
forget  thee. 

For  oh!  what  is  more  glorious, 
than  by  silence  and  patience,  to 
close  the  mouth  of  him  who  speak- 
eth  evil  against  thee  :  following 
the  example  of  Jesus  Christ,  who 
was  silent  before  Pilate,  when  they 
brought  false  witness  against  Him.* 

*  Matt.  xxvi. 

) o 

2a 


O ( 

26  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

Thou  art  not  bettcir,  doubtless, 
than  thy  God,  who,  for  the  love  of 
thee,  was  cruelly  scourged,  mock- 
ed and  at  last  put  to  death  by  the 
wicked. 

Man  knows  not  how  far  his  virtue 
and  worth  may  go,  till  he  has  been 
tried  in  the  furnace  of  tribulation. 

Christ  has  many  servants,  who 
willingly  come  to  Him,  and  seat 
themselves  at  His  table  ;  but  He 
finds  few  who  would  follow  Him 
fasting,  into  the  desert. 

3.  The  true  lover  of  the  cruci- 
fied Jesus  refuses  not  to  suffer, 
and  to  be  persecuted  by  the  wick- 
ed ;  that  he  may  thereby  become 
more  conformable  to  his  Saviour, 
who  bowed  Himself  to  the  igno- 
miny and  scandal  of  the  cross. 

Because  for  him  who  lives  the 
life  of  Christ,  it  is  a  great  gain  to 
suffer  and  to  die  for  Christ.* 

*  Phil.  i.  21. 


-O 


O ' 

GARDEN  OF   ROSES.  27 

The  more  fervent  is  thy  love  for 
God,  the  less  shalt  thou  fear 
death ;  and  the  more  lively  shall 
be  thy  desire  for  the  dissolution  of 
the  body,  that  thou  mayest  live 
happy  with  Christ,  and  share  in 
the  joy  of  His  holy  angels  for  all 
eternity. 

Happy  is  the  soul  that  loveth 
Jesus  tenderly  ; — in  whom  the  love 
of  eternal  good  begets  contempt 
for  such  as  pass  away  ; — who  en- 
dures with  patience  the  evils  of 
this  life  for  the  name  of  Jesus  ; — 
who  prostrates  himself  humbly  at 
His  feet  and  begs  of  Him  the  grace, 
to  advance  still  more  and  more  with 
perseverance  and  constancy  in  the 
paths  of  virtue. 


'W 


0 o 


o o 

28  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

CHAP.   VIII. 

ON    THE    JOY    OF    A    GOOD    CON- 
SCIENCE IN   THE  HOLY   SPIRIT. 


"  Gaudcte  in  Domino  semper.^'* 
"  Rejoice  in  the  Lord  always." 

Rejoice  together  with  the  good  : 
patiently  endure  the  bad  :  partici- 
pate willingly  in  the  sufi'erings  of 
the  afflicted :  pardon  those  who  of- 
fend thee;  and  pray  for  all. 

Drive  far  from  thee  that  gloomy 
melancholy  which  begets  disgust 
and  rancour  in  the  soul. 

Learn  the  sweet  and  holy  prac- 
tice of  meditating  on  the  life  and 
passion  of  Jesus  Christ ;  and  thou 
wilt  find  real  consolation  both 
against  heaviness  of  heart  and 
against  temptation. 

*  Phil.  iv.  4. 
O O 


Q 0 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  29 

A  good  life  is  worthy  of  praise  ; 
but  lukewarm  conversation  is  bur- 
thensome  to  all. 

A  good  conscience  begets  in- 
ward joy  ;  but  an  evil  conscience 
engenders  to  itself  remorse. 

Strive  always  to  do  well,  and 
thou  shalt  enjoy  lasting  peace. 

From  the  malice  of  the  sinner, 
thou  hast  nothing  to  fear,  if  thou 
keep  steadfast  in  the  path  of  jus- 
tice. 

Edifying  conversation  produces 
joy  of  heart,  and  just  praise  abroad. 

Unmerited  praise  speedily  melt- 
eth  away  in  the  mouth  of  him  Avho 
giveth  it :  for  the  flattery  of  a  fool 
is  more  hurtful  than  the  harsh  cen- 
sure of  the  wise  and  just. 

2.  Humble  prayer  pierces  the 
heavens,  disarms  the  anger  of 
God,  obtains  His  grace  and  mercy, 
and  defeats  all  the  artifices  of  the 
evil  one. 
O O 


O ( 

30  GARDEx\  OF  ROSES. 

An  humble  confession  deserves 
forgiveness  ;  but  a  frivolous  excuse 
aggravates  the  offence. 

Sincere  contrition  wipes  away 
tlie  stain  of  sin  ;  and  fervent  medi- 
tation alleviates  the  penance. 

Idle  talk  weakens  the  grace  of 
devotion,  but  pious  conversation  in- 
creases the  joy  of  our  soul. 

We  ought  in  every  place  to  keep 
a  cautious  watch  over  our  senses  ; 
and  a  spiritual  retreat  is  profitable 
to  him  whose  occupations  call  him 
abroad. 

Frequent  prayer  is  a  sure  pro- 
tection ;  and  the  silence  of  the  lips 
is  the  secure  abode  of  peace. 

Many  begin  their  course  with 
ardour,  but  those  only  who  perse- 
vere unto  the  end  shall  obtain  the 
crown  of  glory. 

The  yoke  of  Christ  is  sweet  to 
those  who  love  ;  burthensome  to 
the  lukewarm  ;  bitter  to  the  proud  ; 
O O 


o o 

GARDEN   OF  ROSES.  31 

light  to  the  meek,  and  dear  to  the 
humble. 

Sweet  Jesus  maketh  all  things 
sweet  and  light. 

The  carnal  man  seeks  only  the 
gratification  of  the  senses  ;  but  the 
spiritual  man  has  a  horror  of  such 
things,  and  avoids  them. 

The  heaviest  affliction  of  the 
just  man  is,  that  he  cannot  extin- 
guish in  his  soul  all  vicious  emo- 
tions. But  why  does  God  permit 
their  existence  ?  That  man  may  be 
continually  humbled,  and  may  im- 
plore the  Divine  aid  unceasingly. 

3.  Even  as  the  proud  man  glo- 
ries in  his  honours,  and  the  rich  in 
his  riches,  so  he  that  is  truly  hum- 
ble rejoices  in  self-abasement,  and 
the  poor  in  spirit,  in  his  penury. 

Christ,  the  King  of  Heaven,  is 
the  exceeding  glory  and  riches  of 
the  servants  of  God. 

Out  of  God,  all  affection  is  cor- 
O 


32  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

nipt,  all  pleasure  vain,  all  abun- 
dance poverty. 

Nothing,  indeed,  can  satisfy  the 
thirst  of  the  soul,  but  God  alone. 
Who  created  it. 

The  spirit  of  that  man  is  truly 
free,  which  covets  none  of  the 
things  which  are  of  this  world. 

4.  To  act  well,  to  sufTer  evil,  to 
praise  God  in  all  things,  and  never 
to  draw  vanity  from  His  good  gifts 
— such  is  the  life  of  the  just. 

He  that  despises  himself,  and 
ascribes  to  God  all  that  he  has  of 
good  in  his  thoughts,  words,  or  ac- 
tions, gives  to  Him  the  praise  that 
is  truly  His  due. 

When  thoughts,  then,  of  vain 
glory  occur  to  thy  mind,  consent 
not  to  them,  but  forthwith  cry  out 
humbly  with  the  prophet,  "  Not 
unto  us,  O  !  Lord,  not  unto  us,  but 
to  thy  name  give  glory."* 

*  Ps.  cxiii.  1. 


■o 


0— o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  33 

Man's  most  glorious  triumph 
consists  in  overcoming  his  affec- 
tions, in  surmounting  his  dislikes, 
and  in  bearing  with  resignation 
whatever  grievously  afflicts  him. 


CHAP.  IX. 

ON   THE    EDIFYING  DEMEANOR  OF 
AN    HUMBLE    BROTHER. 


^^  Humilibus  autem  Deus  dat  gra- 
tiam"* 

*'  God givcth grace  to  the  humble." 

1 .  A  person  consecrated  to  God, 
ought  to  be  adorned  with  humility 
and  modesty  in  all  his  Avords  and 
actions,  and  should  never  be  occu- 
pied in  trifles. 

There  is  every  reason  to  believe 

*  Jac.  iv.  6. 

o o 


o o 

34  GARDEN   OF  ROSES. 

that  a  younCT  man  engaged  in  the 
service  of  God,  will  lead  a  holy 
life,  when,  during  his  novitiate,  he 
practices  humility,  and  speaks  lit- 
tle, particularly  in  the  presence  of 
his  elders. 

He  that  does  not  accustom  him- 
self to  listen,  and  who  learns  not  to 
keep  silence,  will  seldom  attain  a 
reputation  among  men  of  knowl- 
edge and  wisdom. 

Many  pass  for  ignorant,  for  this 
only  reason,  that  they  are  of  rude 
manners. 

To  obey  promptly,  to  pray  fre- 
quently, to  meditate  devoutly,  to 
work  diligently,  to  study  cheerful- 
ly,  to  fly  the  tumult,  of  the  world, 
to  love  solitude,  are  the  virtues  that 
impart  true  devotion  and  inward 
peace,  to  souls  consecrated  to 
God. 

We  read  in  Genesis,  "  That  God 
had  respect  to  the  offerings  of  Abel, 
O ( 


o ^ 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  35 

but  rejected  those  of  Cain ;"  and 
why  ?  because  Abel  was  innocent 
and  humble,  Cain  envious  and  per- 
verse. 

Be  then  as  Abel,  in  bearing  pa- 
tiently with  everything  irksome 
and  grievous;  strive  not  like  Cain, 
lest  thou  lose  the  peace  of  thy  soul, 
and  the  reputation  of  a  good  name. 
For  it  is  better  to  lose  thy  property, 
than  to  offend  God,  to  outrage  thy 
brother,  and  to  wound  charity. 

2.  If  thou  wouldst  gain  treasure 
in  heaven,  cast  away  the  burthen 
of  earth.  If  thy  aim  be  eternal 
glory,  despise  the  passing  grandeur 
of  this  world. 

If  thou  desire  peace,  beware  of 
the  house  of  contention,  and  the 
root  of  wrath.  If  thou  wouldst  be 
great  in  heaven,  be  as  a  little  one  on 
earth. 

Seek  not  to  be  justified  in  the 
eyes  of  man ;  for  ail  human  praise  is 


-G 


o ^ < 

36  GARDEN  OF  ROSES 

delnsiv'C,  when  the  witness  of  a  bad 
conscience  accuseth. 

The  bold  and  the  babbler  are 
alike  blame-worthy ;  both  overstep 
the  bounds  of  rectitude. 

Many  among  the  strong  have 
perished,  for  they  presumed  too 
much  on  their  own  strength :  but 
many  of  the  weak  are  strength- 
ened, for  they  call  on  the  name  of 
the  Lord,  and  put  their  trust  in 
Ilim. 

The  humble  and  the  meek  are 
loved  by  all — but  the  stern  and 
severe  man  is  shunned  by  his 
neighbours. 

The  patient  and  the  silent  man 
triumphs  over  his  enemies  by  con- 
descension and  charity. 

He  that  willingly  lends  his  ser- 
vice to  others,  and  sympathizes 
with  them  in  their  sorrows,  in- 
creases the  number  of  his  friends. 
He  that  cannot  keep  silence  in 
6 O 


GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  37 

season,  shall  be  covered  with  con- 
fusion before  many. 

3.  He  that  knows  how  lo  ad- 
vance in  virtue,  to  amend  himself, 
and  to  deserve  esteem  by  the  prac- 
tice of  virtue  is  wise,  and  posses- 
ses true  knowledge. 

He  is  strong  in  power  who  vig- 
orously resists  his  vices.  He  is  a 
sovereign  lord  who  reigns  over 
the  depraved  affections  of  his 
heart  He  is  a  brave  soldier,  and 
armed  at  point,  who  by  the  arms  of 
continence  subdues  his  flesh  : — but 
he  that  lives  chastely  on  earth,  de- 
serves a  place  among  the  angels  of 
heaven. 

The  chaste  man  is  the  friend  of 
God,  the  companion  of  angels,  the 
brother  of  virgins,  the  beloved  fel- 
low-citizen of  the  saints.  He  that 
joins  humility  to  chastity,  triumphs 
over  the  evil  one,  while  he  puts  to 
flight  the  immodest. 

0-^ o 


'io5c5548 


O Q 

38  GARDEN   OF  ROSES. 

That  prelate  is  truly  eminent, 
who  rules  over  himself  with  the 
rod  of  virtue,  and  gives  a  good  ex- 
ample to  those  subject  to  him. 

He  that  imitates  the  virtuous  is 
worthy  of  their  praise  :  and  that 
man  is  truly  noble  and  free,  who  is 
ennobled  by  virtue. 

Fair  and  comely  is  he  who  is 
unsullied  by  sin  ;  but  howsoever 
adorned  the  sinner  be  outwardly, 
he  still  is  foul  and  hideous  within. 

He  that  is  full  of  the  grace  of 
God,  and  covets  not  worldly  hon- 
ours, is  both  rich  and  happy;  but 
ignorance  and  folly  is  the  lot  of 
him  who  rejects  what  is  beneficial, 
and  embraces  what  is  injurious,  to 
his  soul. 

To  seek  the  things  which  are 
eternal,  and  to  despise  such  as 
"  perish  in  the  using,"  — this  is  di- 
vine wisdom. 

4.  Wise  is  he  who  departeth  not 
G ( 


) -o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  39 

from  the  doctrine  of  the  holy  fath- 
ers and  doctors  of  the  church,  and 
who  preserveth  in  its  integrity,  the 
deposit  of  the  faith. 

The  love  of  God,  and  the  keep- 
ing of  His  commandments — this  is 
true  and  honourable  wisdom. 

If  any  one  apply  for  instruction, 
point  out  to  him  the  path  of  humil- 
ity, and  walk  thyself  before  him. 

He  that  is  truly  humble,  knows 
not  vanity — disclaims  praise — re- 
joices in  contempt — and  keeps  no 
place  in  his  memory  for  wrong  or 
insult. 


O 


o o 

40  GARDEN   OF  ROSES. 

CHAP.    X. 

ON    THE    INSTABILITY   OF  THE 
HUMAN  HEART. 


"  Qui  manct  in  me,  et  ego  in  co, 
hie  fert  fruclurn  multum.'"* 

"  He  that  abideth  in  Me  and  I  in 
him,  the  same  beareth  much  fruit ." 

1 .  The  thoughts  and  affections  of 
man  change  and  vary  unceasingly  ; 
but  all  are  vain  and  impure  which 
are  not  of  God. 

Oh  heart  of  man  !  ever  too  gree- 
dy and  insatiable  !  what  misery 
and  bitterness  is  thine  in  forsaking 
thy  God  !  why  toil  after  so  many 
empty  trifles  that  can  bring  thee  no 
consolation  nor  satisfy  thy  wants  ? 

What   then   art  thou   doing,  or 

*  Joan.  XV. 5 


GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  41 

whither  dost  thou  oro  lookincr  for 
happiness  ? 

Return,  return  speedily  into 
thine  own  heart  ;  see  in  how  many 
things  thou  hast  offended,  and  take 
care  to  repair  the  evil  thou  hast 
done. 

Make  ready  a  dwelling  place 
for  thy  God  ;  and  cast  away  the 
rush  of  vain  imaginings,  and  all 
external  cares,  that  thou  mayest 
be  filled  with  the  consolations  of 
the  Holy  Spirit. 

2.  He  that  often  goes  abroad  is 
rarely  the  better  for  it ;  for  all  that 
glitters  so  fair  in  the  world,  leads 
to  nothing  real. 

The  eye  is  not  satisfied  with 
what  it  sees  ;  and  what  strikes 
the  ear  filletn  not  the  heart;  and  if 
all  be  not  referred  to  the  praise  of 
the  Creator,  all  that  thou  seest  is 
but  an  empty  vision. 

Hence  the  holy  David  sings — 

0 ■ — c 


0 o 

42  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

"  Thou  hast  given  me,  O  Lord,  a 
delight  in  Thy  doings,  and  in  the 
works  of  Thy  hands  shall  I  re- 
joice."* 

In  no  created  thing  is  there  any 
stability ;  there  is  nothing  perma- 
nent or  enduring  but  God,  our  sov- 
ereign good. 

Abide  in  the  truth  ;  it  will  deliver 
thee  from  falsehood,  from  iniquity, 
and  from  the  malice  of  thy  enemies. 

The  slander  that  is  falsely  cir- 
culated against  one's  neighbour, 
shall  return  on  the  head  of  the  in- 
ventor. 

Christ  is  truth  ;  and  he  that  fol- 
lows Him  loves  the  truth,  and  all 
virtue. 

He  that  sacrifices  truth  to  tem- 
poral advantage,  fortune  or  honours, 
makes  shipwreck  of  his  faith,  and 
bids  adieu  to  the  glory  which  is 
the  reversion  of  virtue. 

*  Ps.  xci.  5. 

o o 


o o 

GARDEN   OF  ROSES.  43 

God  is  truth,  and  permits  not 
liars  to  remain  long  concealed. 

The  evil  doer  may  for  some  time 
disseminate  his  falsehood,  but  the 
truthful  man  shall  at  last  prevail, 
and  the  hypocrite  be  '  confounded 
in  the  hour  he  thinks  not  of. 

Let  not  thy  thoughts  or  thy  de- 
sires be  set  on  any  thing  but  what 
is  just  or  pleasing  to  God  ;  so  shalt 
thou  practice  virtue,  and  work 
good  works  for  the  glory  of  God. 

3.  He  that  speaks  the  truth,  and 
hates  iniquity,  shall  be  great  in  the 
kingdom  of  heaven:  but  he  that 
works  iniquity,  and  hates  the  truth, 
shall  be  tormented  with  eternal 
punishment. 

Abide  in  truth  and  in  charity, 
and  thus  shalt  thou  be  pleasing  to 
God,  to  angels,  and  to  men. 

Fear  not — the  wicked  may  hap- 
ly deprive  thee  of  some  transitory 
£jood,  but  God  will  grant  to  him 
O^ O 


) o 

44  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

who  patiently  suffers  from  injus- 
tice, goods  that  are  infinitely  great- 
er and  eternal. 

Dost  thou  wish  thy  soul  to  dwell 
in  peace,  and  thy  conscience  to  re- 
proach thee  in  nothing  1  Be  hum- 
ble, be  patient,  be  obedient— for 

There  is  no  enemy  so  danger- 
ous as  thyself,  when  thy  passions 
are  roused. 

Look  carefully  into  thy  own 
faults,  and  thou  wilt  find  little  in- 
clination to  weigh  the  actions  of 
others. 


O C 


o o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  45 

CHAP.  XI. 

ON    TRUST    IN  GOD    IN    TIME  OF 
TROUBLE. 


"  Spera  in  Domino^  et  fac  honi- 
tatem."* 

"  Trust  in  the  Lord  and  do  good." 

1 .  Let  no  man  glory  in  the  tem- 
poral advantages  he  may  enjoy, 
nor  put  his  trust  in  friends  and  fa- 
miliars ;  for  all  things  are  uncer- 
tain, and  full  of  peril :  but  he  that 
puts  his  trust  in  the  Lord,  and  will 
call  upon  Him  in  the  time  of  need, 
shall  not  be  forsaken  in  his  worst 
tribulation. 

He  whose  life  is  good — whose 
words  are  edifying — who  offends 
no  one — who  keeps  a  strict  watch 
against  iniquity,  and  over  his  evil 

*  Ps.  xxxvi.  3. 

o o 


o o 

46  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

thoughts,  shall  enjoy  much  peace.  | 
Shut   the  door  of  thy  house,  and 
thou  shall  sleep  in  peace. 

2.  He  that  provides  not  every 
day  some  good  thought  or  edify- 
ing action,  to  oppose  as  a  shield 
to  the  attacks  of  the  evil  one,  shall 
fall  an  easy  prey  to  the  enemy. 

Many  cease  to  pray,  and  to  re- 
sist temptations,  when  all  goes  not 
well  with  them  ;  but  virtue  is  not 
to  be  acquired  without  pain  and 
strife,  nor  maintained  without  as- 
siduous care. 

A  dissipated  and  inconstant  mind 
abhors  discipline  and  a  retired  life, 
as  a  bird  abhors  a  state  of  cap- 
tivity. 

Art  thou  violently  tempted  or 
hardly  pressed,  or  mocked,  or  load- 
ed with  confusion  ? — despair  not  : 
reflect  forthwith  that  thy  sins  just- 
ly deserve  the  censure  and  despite 
of  men  :  suffer  patiently,  and  sav 
0 -O 


o ( 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  47 

trustfully,  "  It  is  good  for  me  that 
thou  hast  humbled  me,  O  Lord, 
that  I  may  learn  Thy  justifica- 
tions."* 

In  temptation  or  tribulation,  man 
learns  his  entire  dependence  on 
God;  for  then  he  .acknowledges 
his  indigence,  and  feels  the  griev- 
ousness  of  his  defects.  He  is  both 
an  unfaithful  and  a  foolish  servant, 
who  makes  use  of  his  master's 
goods  to  minister  to  his  own  van- 
ity, and  thence  to  despise  others. 

3.  He  that  despises  his  brethren 
and  fellow  servants,  or  thinks  him- 
self better  than  they,  outrages  God 
and  all  His  saints  :  and  the  princi- 
pal cause  of  this  error — is,  that  we 
cease  to  be  humble,  and  cast  aside 
the  remembrance  of  our  own  faults, 
while  we  cease  to  watch  and  weep 
over  them. 

It  is  enough  for  each  to  bear  his 

*  Ps.  cxviii.  71. 


-o 


■o 


48  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 


own  burthen  ;  why  then  do  we 
busy  ourselves,  intermeddling  with 
the  conduct  of  others  ?  Why 
charge  ourselves  with  a  burthen 
heavier  than  we.  can  bear  ? 

It  sometimes  happens  that  a 
man's  faults,  errors,  and  negli- 
gences become  public,  in  order  to 
teach  him  more  humility,  and  more 
compassion  towards  the  weak- 
nesses of  his  brethren,  and  to  dis- 
pose him  to  guide  with  all  charity 
into  the  way  of  peace,  those  who 
err.  Taught  by  his  own  experi- 
ence he  says, — "  This  is  a  man, 
and  not  an  angel ;  it  has  happened 
to  him,  as  it  has  already  happened 
to  me  ;  we  are  brethren — my  in- 
tentions were  bad,  and  his  may 
perhaps  have  been  good.  He 
who  has  never  erred,  nor  ever 
done  wrong,  is  God  alone. 

Why  mock  est  thou  when  thy 
brother    falls  ?      "  Let    him    that 

o — o 


Q ' 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  49 

thinketh  himself  to  stand,  take 
heed  lest  ho  fall."*  Is  thine  own 
fall  a  cause  of  mockery  ? 

The  shame  of  an  open  fall  often 
entirely  extinguishes  all  emotions 
of  vain  glory. 


CHAP.  XIL 


ox  THE  EFFICACY  OF  PRAYER,  AND 

THE    ADVANTAGES    OF    PIOUS 

READING. 


"  Sine  inter  mi  ssione  orate.^^f 

*^  Pray  vnthout  ceasing^ — And 
why?  Because  we  are  girt  about  by 
tribulations  and  temptations  ;  by  the 
snares  and  suggestions  of  bad  angels. 

1 .  Tidings  of  good  come  rarely  ; 
war  pervades    all ;    fear    within : 

*  1  Cor.  X.  12.  t  1  Thess.  v.  17. 

D O 


O ( 

50  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

combat  without:  there  is  no  day- 
free  from  toil  or  trouble,  no  hour 
without  the  dreadful  apprehension 
of  death. 

By  the  just  judgment  of  God, 
are  nations  ravaged  by  fire  and 
sword.  By  these  scourges  He 
punishes  ihe  crimes  of  the  wicked, 
and  leadeth  His  elect  to  seek  for 
eternal  blessings. 

Unceasing  prayer,  then,  is  of 
the  highest  importance,  not  only 
against  the  dangers  of  the  world, 
but  as  a  breastplate,  proof  against 
the  fiery  darts  of  the  enemy. 

He  that  ceases  to  pray,  aban- 
dons the  conflict ;  and  he  that 
strives  not  in  battle,  is  already 
overcome,  and  has  lost  the  crown 
of  victory. 

But,  who  can  pray  always?  and 
fight  always  ? 

All  things  are  possible  to  him 
that  calls  on  the  Lord,  and  puts  his 


-O 


o o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  51 

trust  in  him ;  for  "  the  Lord  is 
nigh  unto  all  that  call  upon 
Him, — to  all  that  call  upon  Him  in 
truth."* 

If  thou  canst  not  pray  always 
with  the  lips,  pray  with  the  spirit, 
and  in  the  heart ;  pray  by  the  fer- 
vour of  thy  desires,  and  the  purity 
of  thy  intentions. 

A  firm  desire  to  do  good,  and  to 
serve  God,  is  a  continual  sacrifice 
off'ered  to  Him  on  the  altar  of  our 
hearts ;  for  he  "  prays  without 
ceasing,"  who  never  ceases  to  do 
well. 

He  that  mourns  over  his  past 
transgressions,  and  who  sighs  for 
farther  growth  in  virtue,  "  prays 
without  ceasing."  Say  then  with 
holy  David  : — "  Lord,  all  my  de- 
sire is  before  Thee  and  my  groan- 
ing is  not  hidden  from  Thee."* 

2.  The  word  of  God  and   pious 

*  Ps.  cxliv.  18.  *  Ps.  xxxvii.  10. 

> 6 


O G 

52  GARDEX  OF  ROSES. 

reading  are  most  useful  to  recal 
and  calm  our  spirit,  when  dis- 
tracted by  external  cares,  or  by 
some  passion  from  within,  that 
would  domineer  over  it. 

Pious  reading  teaches  us  the 
right  path  of  life ;  good  examples 
excite  our  imitation,  and  prayer  ob- 
tains from  heaven  the  needful 
grace  to  follow  them. 

Reading  of  God  is  good ;  pray- 
ing to  God  is  better  ;  but  prayer 
for  God,  is  the  best  of  all. 

Blessed  is  he,  who  in  all  his 
words  and  actions,  proposes  to 
himself  no  other  end  than  the  glo- 
ry of  God  ;  desiring  that  in  all  and 
above  all,  He  may  be  praised  and 
blessed  forever. 

3.  How  can  a  religious  man  be 
called  devout  ?  or  how  can  he  be- 
come so,  if  he  prefer  idle  babbling 
before  reading,  study,  and  prayer? 

He  that  takes  pleasure  in  speak- 
O O 


) o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  53 

ing  or  listenmcr  to,  frivolous  things, 
barters  his  soul  for  a  pitiful  price. 

In  all  temptation  or  tribulation, 
flv^  to  prayer,  as  to  the  secure  har- 
bour of  thy  soul : — humbly  implo- 
ring the  divine  assistance.  The 
more  readily  thou  wilt  have  re- 
course to  it,  the  more  efficacious 
will  it  be.  The  more  thou  delay- 
est,  the  less  advantage  shall  thou 
obtain  :  the  more  frequent  it  be, 
the  more  profit  wilt  thou  draw 
from  it :  the  more  fervent  it  be, 
the  more  pleasing  to  God. 

God,  who  is  good  and  merciful, 
loves  us  to  ask  of  Him :  He  fur- 
nishes us  with  occasions  for 
prayer,  and  He  hath  promised  that 
we  shall  be  heard  ;  since  he  hath 
said,  "  Ask  and  it  shall  be  given 
unto  you."* 

He  invites  us  to  prayer  by  His 
discourses, — leads   us    thither    by 

*  Matt.  vii.  7. 

) c 


54  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

His  example, — constrains  us  by  His 
threats  and  encourages  us  by  His 
favours  : — He  punishes  our  negli- 
gence by  adversity  ; — rewards  our 
submission,  by  prosperity  ;  and  in 
this  evenincr  and  mornirtg  of  pains 
and  consolations,  is  our  one  day 
of  life  accomplished.* 

Moreover,  God  often  commu- 
nicates to  those  who  pray  devoutly, 
— who  love  retreat  and  silence,  in- 
terior consolations,  which  he  re- 
fuses to  those  who  love  the  world, 
and  its  idle  conversation. 

4.  But  ye  who  love  good  tidings, 
come  and  entertain  yourselves  with 
Jesus  Christ ;  listening  to  Him 
as  He  speaks  of  the  kingdom  of 
God, — of  the  judgment  to  come, — of 
the  Heavenly  Jerusalem, — of  the 
happiness  which  the  inhabitants  of 
heaven,  the  orders  and  choirs  of 
angels,  enjoy, — of  the   glory  and 

+  Gen.  i. 


O 


) c 

GARDEN   OF  ROSES.  55 

honour  of  the  elect,  and  of  the 
recompense  of  the  saints,  exuh- 
ing  in  joy  and  gladness  for  all 
eternity. 

Hearken  to  the  prophets  an- 
nouncing the  hidden  mysteries  of 
Christ,  and  thundering  with  the  di- 
vine vengeance  against  the  unre- 
pentant sinner. 

Listen  to  the  apostles  and  evan- 
gelists, as  they  publish  abroad  the 
wonderful  works  and  miracles  of 
Jesus  Christ. 

Listen  to  the  doctors  of  the 
Church,  as  they  speak  with  elo- 
quent tongues  of  holy  things,  and 
explain  what  is  obscure  in  the 
Scriptures ;  adorning  their  lives  by 
the  splendour  of  their  virtues,  and 
refuting  heresy  and  schism  by  the 
solidity  of  their  reasoning. 

May  each  one  of  us  choose  in 
ihese  instructions,  the  truths  most 
suited  to  our  taste  or  w^ants.     Let 


O (J 

56  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

US  not  pass  over  with  disdain  such 
as  seem  simple,  nor  censure  those 
which  are  above  our  intellect  :  for 
it  is  folly  to  reprove  the  wise  ;  but 
it  is  impiety  to  condemn  the  saints 
and  men  inspired  of  God. 

5.  Labour  steadfastly  then  to 
learn  first  the  most  simple  truths, 
and  humbly  resolve  to  practice  the 
least,  however  small ;  and  if  it  be 
to  thy  advantage,  God  will  soon 
impart  a  knowledge  of  higher  mys- 
teries :  for  it  is  written  :  "  To  him 
who  knoweth  to  do  good,  and  doth 
it  not,  to  him  it  is  sin."* 

He  that  is  stored  with  knowl- 
edjje,  and  makes  not  use  of  it  to 
regulate  his  conduct ;  and  he  that 
reads,  but  profits  not  by  what  he 
reads,  arc  like  those  who  go  away 
empty  and  famished,  from  a  table 
that  is  abundantly  spread. 

As  he  that  works  little,  shall  be 


o- 


,_ o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  57 

lonof  in  want ;  so  he  that   seldom 
prays,  shall  be  long  lukewarm. 

He  that  discourses  against  vice 
in  others  and  corrects  not  his  own 
scatters  good  seed  among  thorns  : 
and  little  fruit  will  be  gathered  from 
many  words,  if  one  comes  to  pray- 
er without  first  casting  out  his  evil 
thoughts. 

Happy  is  he  that  with  earnest 
care,  casts  forth  from  his  soul  all 
impurity  ;  suffering  nothing  to  re- 
main in  the  secret  of  his  heart,  that 
can  offend  in  secret  the  eves  of 
God. 

By  an  humble  confession  of  sins, 
a  soul  humble  and  contrite  before 
God,  is  purified  from  all  vices. 

6.  The  pious  man  finds  pleasure 
in  prayer  ;  the  studious  man  in  his 
books  ;  the  devout  soul,  in  the 
practice  of  virtue  ;  the  proud,  in 
honours  ;  the  humble,  in  contempt ; 
the  rich,  in  his  riches  ;  the  beggar, 


9 ' 

58  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

in  his  alms  ;  the  glutton,  in  eating 
and  drinking  :  the  idle  in  frivolous 
talk  ;  the  abstemious  man,  in  tem- 
perance ;  the  wise,  in  wisdom  ;  the 
good  monk,  in  submission  to  his 
rule  ; — but  none  of  these  enjoy- 
ments are  to  be  compared  with 
those  which  flow  from  the  love  of 
God,  and  the  peace  of  a  good  con- 
science. 

Wouldst  thou  triumph  over  the 
enemies  most  dangerous  to  thy 
soul  ? — have  recourse  to  flight — 
to  silence — to  solitude — to  prayer 
— to  fasting — to  study — to  labour. 

A  holy  man  thinks  on  holy  things, 
speaks  the  truth,  and  acts  justly  ; 
despises  things  present,  and  med- 
itates on  those  that  are  eternal. 

The  humble  man  receives  the 
advice  that  is  given  to  him  ;  the 
prudent  man  avoids  danger ;  the 
patient  suffers  with  resignation  ; 
the  diligent  neglects  not  his  occu- 


O- 


o o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  59 

pation  ;  and  he  that  shuns  not  small 
faults,  shall  fall  into  great  ones. 

7.  He  that  is  lukewarm  in  the 
mornino-,  will  rarely  be  found  fer- 
vent at  the  close  of  the  day. 

He  that  promptly  shakes  off  sloth- 
ful torpidity  and  forthwith  betakes 
himself  to  labour,  acquires  thereby 
great  inward  satisfaction,  and  hon- 
our ;  although  he  may  not  be  re- 
compensed by  men,  he  certainly 
will  by  God  :  which  is  far  better 
and  infinitely  more  to  be  prized  by 
all.  For  God  giveth  Himself  to 
the  saints,  to  be  their  reward  and 
the  eternal  recompense  of  their 
good  works,  their  toils,  and  their 
sufferings. 

The  idle  man  is  never  satisfied 
with  the  idle  frivolities  of  the  world, 
but  the  virtuous  man  denies  him- 
self even  of  things  that  are  lawful. 

He  that  makes  humility,  the 
foundation  of  all  his  actions,  and 

6 ( 


O Q 

60  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

counts  as  nothing  the  honours  of 
this  world,  shall  walk  with  an  as- 
sured step  in  the  way  that  is  good. 
The  wisest  of  men  is  he,  and 
wisely  doth  he  live,  who  studies 
to  please  God  alone,  who  disenga- 
ges himself  from  exterior  objects 
and  attaches  himself  to  interior 
things  only  ;  who  despises  every 
thing  which  is  of  earth,  and  aspires 
to  the  glories  of  heaven  alone  ; — 
who  ever  prefers  the  love  of  God 
to  all  the  goods  of  this  world. 


c^ 


-O 


o ( 

GARDEN   OF  ROSES.  61 

CHAP.    XIII. 

OX  THE  PRAISES  OF   CHARITY,  AND 
ITS    FRUITS. 


"  Omniavestraincharitatejianty* 

"  Let  all  your  actions  be  done  in 
charity.^^ 

1 .  Charity  is  a  noble  virtue,  and 
surpasses  all  virtues,  knowledge 
and  gifts.  Charity  embraces  God 
Himself;  it  unites  angels  to  men  ; 
it  elevates  the  children  of  men  to 
the  dignity  of  children  of  God,  and 
friends  of  the  saints.  Hence  also 
did  Christ  condescend  to  be  born 
of  a  virgin,  and  to  be  crucified  for 
the  salvation  of  the  human  race. 

Charity  purifies  the  soul  from 
sin  ;  it  warms  and  inflames,  and 
fills  us   with   a   wondrous   sweet- 

*  1  Cor.  xvi.  14. 


-o 


o o 

62  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

ness,  making  us  love  God,  with  all 
our  heart,  with  all  our  mind,  and 
with  all  our  strength. 

It  justifies  the  sinner,  and  sets 
the  bond-slave  free  ;  of  an  enemy- 
it  makes  a  friend  ;  of  a  foreigner,  a 
fellow-citizen  ;  of  a  stranger,  a  fa- 
miliar. It  teaches  the  inconstant, 
constancy  ;  the  proud,  humility  ; 
the  perverse,  meekness :  it  gives 
to  the  lukewarm,  fervour;  to  the 
broken  heart  it  brings  joy ;  it 
opens  the  hand  of  the  avaricious ; 
it  awakes  the  worldly  man  to 
spiritual  life  ;  it  gives  wisdom  and 
knowledge  to  the  ignorant.  '  Such 
are  the  effects  of  charity  when  it 
comes  into  the  soul  of  the  faithful, 
through  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  is 
given  to  them  from  heaven. 

Its  flight  is  bold  and  daring,  for 
it  rises   above  the  Cherubim  and 
Seraphim,    and    all    the    angelic 
choirs. 
6 


o -o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  63 

It  comprehends  both  the  means 
and  the  extremes  ;  forming  but  one 
and  the  same  whole  of  things  most 
opposite. 

It  infuses  joy  into  the  heart  of 
all  men — of  one  and  all — not  that 
joy  which  has  its  foundation  in 
personal  complacency,  but  that 
which  maketh  glad  the  heart, 
whose  every  affection  is  for  God. 

Charity  pervades  both  heaven 
and  earth,  sea  and  land  ; — all  that 
the  eye  can  see  or  ear  can  hear  of 
the  wonders  of  creation,  it  refers 
to  the  praise  and  glory  of  the 
Creator. 

Throughout  all  nature  there  is 
not  anything,  howsoever  small  or 
contemptible,  which,  by  the  perfec- 
tion of  its  being,  reveals  not  the 
hand  of  its  Sovereign  Maker,  the 
power  of  the  Creator,  the  wisdom 
of  the  Disposer,  and  the  provi- 
dence of  Him  who  rules  and  gov- 

o ^ 


O : i 

64  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

ems  all  supremely  well :  and  this 
consideration  leads  the  devout  soul 
to  praise  God,  to  bless  Him  and 
celebrate  His  praises,  at  all  times, 
and  in  every  place. 

As  wax  melts  before  the  fire,  so 
by  charity  the  soul  is  kindled  in- 
wardly :  it  ceases  to  be  chained  to 
earth ;  then  mounting  upwards,  it 
soars  above  the  stars  of  heaven,  to 
seek  the  only  object  of  its  love, — 
God,  the  Creator  and  Ruler  of  all 
things :  in  whom  it  can  repose  in 
absolute  security,  and  rejoice  in 
perfect  beatitude. 

2.  Oh,  what  sweetness  and 
happiness  does  he  taste,  who  is 
joined  with  God,  and  inwardly  re- 
joices in  Him ! 

Oh  !  how  happy  should  we  be, 
if  we  could  taste  but  a  little  of  that 
eternal  blessedness,  which  appears 
unclouded  to  the  angels  forever. 

But  alas  !  we  are  recalled  from 

o o 


o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  65 

these  soaring  aspirations,  to  an 
active  life,  and  are  obliged  to  fight 
courageously  with  the  arms  of 
charity,  against  the  temptations 
which  daily  assault  us. 

For  oftentimes  after  joy  comes 
affliction ;  after  consolation,  sad- 
ness ;  after  laughing,  weeping  ;  af- 
ter peace  and  repose,  inward  war 
and  trouble  of  soul : — great  conso- 
lations are  often  succeeded  by  pro- 
found desolation,  or  by  a  trouble- 
some temptation,  or  a  corporal  in- 
firmity, or  some  human  contrari- 
ety, or  the  loss  of  friends,  or  the 
assaults  of  our  enemies,  or  trouble 
of  soul,  or  the  railleries  of  the 
younger,  the  censure  of  the  old, 
or  the  severe  reproof  of  our  su- 
periors. 

All    these   things    are    sent    to 

humble  the  pride  of  our  hearts  ;  or 

to  make   us    show  compassion  to 

the   weaknesses   of  others,  or   to 

O O 


o o 

66  GARDEN  OF  ROSES 

such  as  are  in  temptation  or  af- 
fliction. 

Let  us  not  then  trust  in  our- 
selves, nor  he  over  wise,  nor  look 
to  our  own  advantage  ;  but  let  us 
humble  ourselves  to  all,  being  sub- 
ject to  God,  and  to  every  creature 
for  God's  sake.*  Such  is  true 
charity. 

By  charity  God  came  down  into 
the  world :  by  charity  were  the 
gates  of  heaven  re-opened  to  man. 

By  charity,  Christ  came  down 
to  save  sinners.  By  charity  and 
the  ignominy  of  the  cross,  He  as- 
cended to  the  right-hand  of  His 
Father,  and  thus  assured  to  man 
the  highest  of  honours. 

3.  Charity  is  never  idle  ;  for  it 
is  busied  with  things  the  highest 
and  the  most  exalted  :  it  also  de- 
scends graciously  and  willingly  to 
the  humble  and  lowly. 

*  1  Pet.  ii.  13. 

O ( 


c ' 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  67 

It  labours  with  diligence  in 
honourable  callings,  and  it  delights 
in  the  meanest  employment  that 
obedience  imposes. 

It  shows  no  repugnance  to 
clean  the  wounds  of  the  sick,  to 
wash  their  feet,  to  make  their 
beds,  to  clean  their  clothes,  or 
sweep  up  their  filth. 

It  suffers  in  patience,  and  re- 
joices in  the  midst  of  reproach 
and  evil  speaking. 

4.  As  fire  burns  faggots,  so  the 
fire  of  charity  consumes  the  fuel  of 
vice.  It  purifies  the  heart  by  con- 
trition,— washes  it  by  confession, — 
cleanses  it  by  prayer,~enlightens  it 
by  holy  reading, — inflames  it  by 
devout  meditation, — fosters  it  by 
holy  retirement,  and  unites  it  to 
God,  by  the  fervour  of  its  love. 
•  Charity  excites  the  mouth  of 
man  to  sing  the  praises  of  God, — 
his  hands  to  labour  for  Him, — his 


-O 


o o 

G8  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

feet  to  walk  in  his  service, — his 
eyes  to  contemplate  His  glories, — 
his  memory  to  recal  His  benefits, — 
all  his  body  to  minister  to  Him, 
and  all  his  faculties  to  love  God 
above  all  that  is  in  heaven  or  on 
earth. 

Charity,  when  joined  with  hu- 
mility, repairs  the  past  ravages  of 
sin, — fortifies  it  against  future  dan- 
gers,— gives  it  discernment  of 
things  present, — delivers  it  from 
many  doubts, — sets  a  guard  against 
curiosity, — retrenches  all  super- 
fluities,— casts  aside  all  vain  things  ; 
discovers  such  as  are  false, — in- 
spires horror  of  such  as  are  shame- 
ful,— softens  what  is  hard, — gives 
understandinorof  things  obscure, — 
reveals  in  prayer  the  secrets  of 
heaven  ;  and,  in  a  word,  governs 
all,  within  and  without.  . 

Charity,  in  a  holy  soul,  is  that 
prompt    good  \vill   which    ceases 

o o 


) : O 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  69 

not  to  work  for  God  ;  although  the 
weakness  of  human  nature,  and 
imperious  circumstances,  perm-it  it 
not  always  to  realize  the  good  in- 
tended. 

5.  Happy  is  the  pure  soul,  to 
whom  God  is  all  ;  who  feels  no 
pleasantness  nor  worth  out  of  God, 
and  who  sees  nothing  that  de- 
serves its  affection — yea,  rather, 
all  bitter  and  burthensome.  Such 
is  the  soul  God  seeks,  such  is  the 
soul  God  loves  ;  because  for  His 
love  it  has  despised  and  renounced 
all,  even  its  own  affections,  and  be- 
cause it  fights  courageously  to  pre- 
serve its  purity. 

Free  from  all  earthly  affection, 
the  pure  soul  springs  forth  swiftly, 
and  impatient  of  all  control,  and 
above  created  worlds,  to  lose  itself 
in  the  bosom  of  its  God. 

Charity  breaks  all  bonds  that 
chain  it  to  the  world :  makes  lioht 


-O 


c o 

70  GARDEN   OF  ROSES. 

its  heavy  burthens,  and  hastens  to 
fulfil  with  faithfulness  whatever  is 
pleasing  to  God.  Whence  it  prays 
with  Christ,  its  divine  model,  say- 
ing :  "  Father,  not  my  will  but 
Thine,  always  and  every  where, 
be  done.  Amen."* 


CHAP.  XIV. 

ON      WATCHING      AND      STRIVING 
AGAINST    TEMPTATIONS. 


'*  Resistite    diaholo,   et  fugiet   a 

"  Resist  the  devil,  and  he  will  flij 
from  ynu^ 

1 .  Wherever  the  just  man  unites 
his  soul  to  God,  by  prayer,  by 
meditation,  by    study,  by  writing, 

*  Matt.  xxvi.  39.  t  Jac.  iv.  7. 

O ' o 


GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  71 

or  any  other  useful  labour ;  there 
are  on  one  side  holy  angels  who 
rejoice  with  him,  and  on  the  other, 
evil  spirits  who  send  distractions 
and  temptations. 

When  thou  beginest  to  pray,  the 
devils  take  to  flioht,  as  from  the  fire 
of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  hut  when  thou 
wilt  begin  to  indulije  in  frivolous 
idle  talk,  they  quickly  return  to  ex- 
cite and  increase  thy  distraction. 

But  a  good  and  watchful  supe- 
rior, prudently  interposing,  will  put 
an  end  to  all  idle  conversation  ; 
reprove  those  who  waste  the  pre- 
cious hours,  and  neglect  good 
works. 

Dwell  then  in  silence,  and  let 
God  be  in  all  thy  thoughts,  and  all 
thy  consolations,  and  thou  wilt 
find  no  longer  that  disrelish  for 
good  works,  which  hinders  thee 
from  pursuing  with  ardour,  thy 
holy  enterprise. 


-O 


O 1 

72  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

2.  Be  faithful  in  little  thinj^s, 
and  thou  shalt  be  rewarded  with 
talents  beyond  measure,  in  the 
kingdom  of  heaven. 

Be  neither  idle  in  solitude,  nor 
a  babbler  in  public,  and  the  evil 
one,  overcome  by  thy  diligence 
and  silence,  shall  depart ;  for  he 
loves  not  a  man  who  works  and 
maintains  silence, — who  loves 
prayer  and  holy  meditation. 

Wherever  thou  art,  alone,  or  in 
company,  it  is  indispensable  to 
fight,  to  watch,  and  to  pray  against 
the  temptations  of  the  flesh  and  the 
spirit. 

Fight  valiantly,  pray  with  fer- 
vour, perform  thy  work  with  dili- 
gence, study  often,  love  silence, 
and  suffer  patiently.  Put  all  thy 
trust  in  God,  how  great  soever  the 
tribulations  or  desolation  may  be, 
that  are  sent  for  thy  trial. 

He  that  learns  in   every  place 


C) 


o o 

GARDEN-   OF  ROSES.  73 

and  at  all  times,  to  practice  pa- 
tience, shall  overcome  his  ene- 
mies, and  enjoy  in  this  world  a 
peace  which  knows  no  change, 
and  in  the  world  to  come,  a 
brighter  crown  of  glory  with  the 
elect. 


CHAP.  XV. 

ON   BEARING   ONE   ANOTHER'S 
BURTHENS. 


"  Aller  aherius  cmera  portote.''^* 

"  Bear  yc  one  another^s  burdens.'''' 

1 .  As  we  all  are  but  one  body  in 
Christ,  so  we  ought  to  preserve 
fraternal  charity,  knit  together  in 
the  bond  of  peace ;  and  ever  be 
united  in  the  pursuit  of  virtue. 

*  Gal.  vi.  2. 

:) 0 


o c 

74  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

We  are  all  members  of  Christ, 
regenerated  in  baptism,  by  the 
grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  re- 
deemed by  the  passion  of  Christ ; 
purified  by  the  blood  of  Christ ; 
fed  by  the  body  of  Christ ;  in- 
structed by  the  words  of  Christ  ; 
confirmed  by  the  miracles  of 
Christ ;  and  led  to  virtue  by  the 
example  of  Christ ;  why  then,  my 
brethren,  would  ye  seek  to  hurt 
one  another  ? 

He  that  offers  an  affront  to  his 
brother,  be  it  in  word  or  deed,  of- 
fers an  affront  to  Christ;  and 
He  shall  avenge  and  punish  the 
wrong,  if  the  offender  shall  not 
speedily  repair  the  injury  and 
atone  for  his  conduct. 

We  all  have  God  for  our  Father 
in  Heaven  ;  we  are  consequently 
all  brethren  in  Christ ;  whatever 
be  the  country  or  kindred  whence 
we  are  collected  here  below,  and 
O G 


0 'Q 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  75 

whether  we  be  of  obscure  or  of 
noble  blood. 

One  God  hath  made  us  all  ;  it 
is  the  same  God  who  preserves 
and  governs  us  ;  it  is  the  same 
God  who  called  us, — who  still 
daily  calls  us  by  His  word  from 
without,  by  contrition  from  within, 
to  the  same  beatitude.  It  is  the 
same  God,  who  promises  to  mani- 
fest Himself  eternally  to  us,  in  the 
presence  of  His  angels,  and  to  be 
oiu-  eternal  recompense,  in  the  har- 
monious blessedness  of  all  the 
inhabitants  of  the  heavenly  king- 
dom. 

If,  therefore,  we  are  all  called 
by  the  same  God,  redeemed  by  the 
same  price,  imbued  and  sanctified 
by  the  same  spirit,  let  it  be  our 
constant  endeavour  to  love  and 
serve  one  another. 

If  we  would  be  pleasing  to 
Christ,  "  let  us  bear  one  another's 

) o 


) o 

76  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

burthens,"  for  Christ's  love  ;  and 
let  us  pray  one  for  another  in  char- 
ity, for  God  is  equally  in  each  of 
us,  and  each  of  us  in  Him. 

Whatever  imperfection  or  folly 
we  observe  in  our  brethren,  we 
ought  charitably  and  considerately 
to  excuse  them,  as  we  would  that 
they  would  excuse  us. 

2.  Beloved  brother,  bear  with 
others,  and  they  will  bear  with 
thee ;  excuse,  and  thou  wilt  be 
excused  ;  pity  the  weaknesses  of 
the  sinner,  and  thou  wilt  be 
pitied ;  comfort  him  that  is  af- 
flicted, and  thou  shalt  be  com- 
forted by  him  that  is  in  joy ; 
raise  up  him  that  falls,  and  thou 
shalt  be  raised  up  by  the  help  of 
God. 

As  th(m  wilt  have  done  to 
another,  so  also  shall  it  be  done 
unto  thee,  by  the  just  and  terrible 
retribution  of  God. 

o c 


c o 

GARDEX  OF  ROSES,  77 

Be  not  astonished,  nor  indig- 
nant, if  man,  who  is  frail,  fall  in 
this  world  ;  angels  fell  in  heaven ; 
and  Adam,  in  the  earthly  para- 
dise, overcome  by  the  attraction  of 
a  pitiful  apple. 

A  very  little  thing  often  tempts 
a  man  violently :  and  a  trifle  that 
hardly  deserves  notice,  often  griev- 
ously affects  him.  God  justly  per- 
mits this  to  be  so,  to  teach  us  that 
if  we  do  not  resist  small  trials,  we 
cannot  overcome  great  ones. 

3.  Be  full  uf  indulgence  and 
kindness  to  thy  brother  when  he 
is  tempted ;  and  pray  for  him 
when  he  is  in  tribulation,  as  for 
thyself. 

The  good  which  happens  to 
thee,  becomes  mine,  when  I  re- 
joice with  thee  for  it ;  and  thy  mis- 
fortunes are  mine,  when  I  sympa- 
thize with  thee  in  them  ;  for  all 
men  are  frail,  and  therefore  it  is 
O O 


o o 

78  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

the  duty  of  all  charitably  to  pray 
one  for  another. 

We  must  not  upbraid  others  with 
defects,  and  despise  them  for  such, 
when  we  overlook  the  like  in  our- 
selves ;  for  it  would  be  as  a  blind 
man  mocking  the  blind,  or  the  deaf, 
him  that  cannot  hear,  or  a  fool  that 
laughs  at  a  fool. 

Never  speak  to  the  disadvantage 
of  one  over  whose  conduct  thou 
hast  no  charge  ;  look  rather  to  thy- 
self, and  repair  the  evil  thou  find- 
est  there. 

If  thy  intention  be  good,  and 
thou  really  mean  to  correct  the 
faults  of  thy  brother,  begin  by  cor- 
recting thy  own  ;  thou  msfcyest  then 
proceed  to  the  reformation  of  his, 
not  with  ill  natured  or  over  heated 
zeal,  but  with  prudence  and  mod- 
esty. 

If  thou  lovest  me  sincerely,  and 
with  a  brother's  affection,  be  as  in- 
O ■ O 


) o 

GARDEN   OF  ROSES.  79 

diligent  to  me  as  thou  art  to  thyself, 
and  pray  for  me. 

He  that  would  correct  his  broth- 
er, and  thinks  that  he  is  dis- 
pensed with  praying  for  him,  and 
excused  from  having  compassion 
for  his  infirmities,  is  neither  a  kind- 
hearted  nor  a  sensible  physician, 
but  a  cruel  enemy  and  a  burthen- 
some  railer. 

He  that  prays  for  others,  as  well 
as  for  himself,  does  two  good 
actions. 

The  more  deeply  thou  art  pene- 
trated with  just  sentiments  of  fra- 
ternal charity,  the  more  cheerfully 
and  promptly  wilt  thou  pray  for  thy 
brother,  asking  God  to  grant  him 
grace  to  amend,  and  to  cease  to  be 
a  scandal  to  the  weak  :  so  the  deep- 
er will  thy  sorrow  be,  if  he  refuse 
to  listen,  or  if  he  take  thy  warnings 
ill. 

For  each  one  is  to  his  brother, 
O O 


O- G 

80  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

either  a  fragrant  rose,  or  a  trouble- 
some thorn. 


CHAP.  XVI. 

ON     THE     LOVE     OF      CHRIST,     AND 
HATRED   OF    THE    WORLD. 


"  Mane  in  dilcctione  medy* 
^^ Abide  in  my  Jove^ 

1 .  These  are  the  words  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ : 
sweet  is  the  voice  of  Christ  unto 
the  hearing,  and  sahitary  unto  obe- 
dience for  all. 

The  love  of  Christ  is  the  joy  of 
the  mind,  and  the  paradise  of  the 
soul  ;  it  shuts  out  the  world,  and 
overcomes  the  devil ;  it  closes  the 
mouth  of  hell,  and  opens  wide  the 
gates  of  heaven. 

*  Joan,  aV.  9. 

o o 


o o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  81 

The  love  of  Christ,  and  the  love 
of  the  world,  are  coiitrar}-,  the  one 
to  the  other,  and  have  nothing  in 
common  ;  nor  can  they  dwell  to- 
gether. 

The  love  of  Christ,  like  the 
chariot  of  Elias,  carries  the  soul 
lip  to  heaven  ;  but  the  love  of  the 
world  like  the  conveyance  of  Satan, 
draors  it  down  to  hell.  Self-love 
is  like  that  of  a  suicide  ;  it  is  self- 
destruction  : — the  total  forgetful- 
ness  of  the  world  conducts  to 
the  certain  discovery  of  heaven. 

The  flattering  words  of  a  false 
friend,  are  more  hurtful  than  the 
harsh  reproof  of  the  just. 

The  imagination  of  the  deceitful 
invents  falsehood  ;  but  the  spirit  of 
the  just  man  seeks  truth  at  the 
fountain  head. 

He  that  scandalizes  his  brother, 
shall  himself  be  scandalized. 

God,  who  knoweth  and  ruleth 
> O 


O ^ ( 

82  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

over  all,  suffereth  not  His  poor 
sheep  to  wander  long,  or  to  fill  the 
air  with  empty  bleatings  ;  but  eith- 
er by  the  correcting  staff  of  fear, 
leads  back  the  strayed  one  to  the 
fold,  or  looking  down  on  it  wilh  the 
eyes  of  love,  sweetly  guides  it 
home  by  the  interior  voice  of  con- 
science. 

2.  Where  peace  and  concord 
dwell  together,  there  is  God,  and 
with  Him  all  good. 

Where  strife  and  dissension 
dwell  together,  there  is  the  devil 
and  with  him  all  evil. 

"  Where  pride  is,  there  also  is 
the  root  of  all  evil ;  but  where  hu- 
mility is,  there  also  is  wisdom."* 

Trample  pride  under  foot,  and 
thou  shalt  find  much  peace. 

Where  harsh  and  wrangling 
words  are  heard,  the  bowels  of 
charity  are  wounded. 

*  Prov.  xi.  2. 


-o 


I o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  83 

Where  solitude  and  silence 
reign,  there  persons  devoted  to 
God,  find  repose. 

Where  strict  discipline  and  the 
love  of  labour  prevail,  religious 
souls  make  rapid  progress  in  vir- 
tue. Where  laughter  and  dissipa- 
tion meet,  the  sweets  of  devotion 
take  wings  and  fly  away,  for  the 
idler  and  the  babbler  are  seldom 
contrite,  and  rarely  free  from  sin. 

Where  obedience  is  ready,  the 
conscience  is  joyful :  but  where 
frivolous  conversation  is  prolonged, 
work  is  neglected. 

Where  there  is  overmuch  deli- 
cacy or  self-seeking,  there,  is  char- 
ity defective  or  cold  :  where  the 
doctrine  of  Christ  flourishes,  the 
path  of  salvation  is  made  secure. 

Where  brethren  dwell  together 
in  unity,  there,  sounds  the  most 
harmonious  rise  to  heaven. 

Where  moderation  is  observed, 
C) O 


O ( 

84  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

the  virtue  of  concord  shall  last  the 
longer. 

Where  those  who  offend  are  re- 
proved with  prudence  and  modera- 
tion, no  one  can  justly  complain, 
or  accuse  his  superior  :  whence 
some  one  hath  said,  "  In  all  things 
be  moderate,  for  moderation  is  a 
most  seemly  virtue." 

Where  patience  dwells,  a  great 
enemy  is  overcome ;  but  wdiere 
disquiet  or  disorder  enters,  peace 
soon  takes  its  departure. 

Put  a  guard  on  the  entrance  of 
thy  mouth,  and  weigh  well  thy 
words  before  giving  them  utter- 
ance. 

Where  faith  and.  truth  meet  to- 
gether, peace  dwells  secure  ;  but 
with  fraud  and  iniquity,  foolish 
imaginings  and  bootless  prudence 
alone  shall  be  thy  guests. 

Where  charity  is,  there  is   the 
Holy  Spirit. 
O ( 


0 

GARDEX  OF  ROSES.  85 

Where  the  disposition  is  mis- 
trustful, there  will  be  no  lack  of 
fuel  for  anger  and  strife;  but 
where  there  is  the  knowledge  of 
the  truth,  there  will  be  joy  to  the 
upright  of  heart. 

Under  a  deceitful  tongue  often 
skulks  a  false  friend  ;  the  humble 
confession  of  a  fault  obtains  a  ready 
pardon. 

When  the  wisdom  of  man  can 
do  nothing,  it  is  then  that  we  must 
implore  with  more  earnestness  the 
divine  protection. 

He  that  makes  choice  of  the 
way  of  malice  and  injustice,  shall 
come  to  an  evil  end  ;  but  peace 
in  abundance  shall  light  upon  him, 
who  follows  the  footsteps  of  vir- 
tue, and  who  strives  to  be  pa- 
tient. 

Woe  to  the  impious  man  who 
does  evil:  woe  to  the  hypocrite 
who  seems  to  do  good:  because 
3 O 


o — o 

86  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

none  shall  suffer  more  than  them- 
selves from  their  huquity. 

"A  double-niintled  man  is  in- 
constant in  all  his  ways,"*  and 
very  wicked  ;  but  blessed  is  the 
simple  and  the  just,  in  whom  there 
is  no  guile :  for  God  is  with  him 
assisting  him  in  all  his  works,  and 
guiding  his  feet  into  the  right  path. 

When  a  man  has  once  been 
faithless  tj  his  word,  who  shall 
lightly  trust  him  ?  but  he  that 
changes  his  former  opinion  for  a 
better,  breaks  not  the  word  of  truth. 

3.  It  is  pleasant  to  listen  to  the 
recital  of  acts  of  virtue,  but  it  is  still 
more  praiseworthy  to  put  them  in 
practice. 

The  best  examination  of  con- 
science is  that  which  leads  to  a 
change  of  life  ;  and  the  fruits  of  a 
good  examination  are,  abstaining 
from  sin,  and  advancement  in  virtue. 

*  Jas.  i.  8. 

C O 


o o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  87 


o- 


The  worthy  fruits  of  devout 
prayer,  is  the  union  of  the  heart 
with  God,  in  the  fervour  of  the 
Holy  Spirit :  he  prays  devoutly 
who  drives  av/ay  all  frivolous 
thoughts. 

He  that  places  before  him  the 
image  of  the  crucifix,  shall  drive 
away  the  illusicms  of  the  devil ; 
and  that  soul  has  a  most  salutary 
employment,  which  meditates  con- 
tinually on  the  passion  of  Christ. 

He  that  meditates  daily  on  the 
sacred  wounds  of  Jesus,  pours  a 
healing  and  a  cleansing  balm  on 
the  wounds  of  his  own  soul. 

He  that  utterly  despises  the 
goods  of  this  world  as  mere  dirt, 
and  thirsts  not  after  its  honours, 
shall  obtain  purity  of  heart,  and 
shall  without  hindrance  give  him- 
self up  to  the  service  of  God. 

He  that  would  give  perfect 
praise    and    honour    to    God,    will 


o o 

88  GARDEN  OP  ROSES. 

practice  profound  humility  of  heart, 
and  constantly  meditate,  groan,  and 
weep  over  all  his  defects. 

The  sincere  and  humble  contri- 
tion of  a  sinner  is  like  a  powerful 
voice,  which  penetrates  to  the  ear 
of  God. 

4.  Whatever  good  you  do,  do  all 
to  the  glory  of  God. 

He  tramples  under  foot,  and 
wounds  to  death,  all  pride,  envy, 
and  vain  glory,  who  refers  simply, 
purely,  and  wholly,  to  the  honour 
and  glory  of  God,  all  the  virtues 
which  he  practices,  as  well  as  all 
the  good  works  of  others ;  ascribing 
everything  to  God,  and  attributing 
nothing  to  his  own  merits,  nor  to 
his  own  strength,  but  stripping 
himself  of  all,  acknowledges  God 
as  the  first  author  of  all  that  is 
good.  That  man  renounces  eternal 
honour  who  takes  complacency 
and  glory  in  himself,  and  not   in 

o ■ --o 


) o 

GARDEN   OP  ROSES.  89 

God  alone,  who  is  the  sovereign 
good. 

And  thus  it  was  that  the  blessed 
Virgin  Mary,  when  she  sought  to 
express  the  delight  of  her  heart, 
for  the  inestimable  benefits  she 
had  received  from  her  Creator,  ex- 
claimed in  her  sublime  Canticle  : 
"  My  spirit  hath  rejoiced  in  God 
my  Saviour."* 

"  If  any  man  think  himself  to 
be  something,  whereas  he  is  noth- 
ing, he  deceives  himself,"  saith  St. 
Paul  the  Apostle;!  who,  even 
though  rapt  to  the  third  heaven, 
gloried  in  nothing  of  himself,  but 
refered  to  God  alone  all  the  good 
that  he  did,  whether  by  his  preach- 
ing or  his  writings  :  "by  the  grace 
of  God,"  says  he,  "  I  am  what  I 
am. "I 

*  Lukei.  47.      t  Gal.vi.  31.     t  1  Cor.xv.  10. 


4a 


90  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

CHAP.  XVII. 

ON      THfr     IMITATION     OF      THE 

MOST    HOLY     LIFE    OF    OUR 

LORD  JESUS   CHRIST. 


Q- 


"  Quamdiu  fecistis  uni  ex  his 
fratribus  mcis  minimis^  mihi  fe- 
cistis:'* 

"As  long  as  you  did  it  to  one  of 
these,  my  least  brethren,  you  did  it 
to  me.'''' 

1.  Note  these  words, — weigh 
well  the  mysteries  they  contain,  and 
let  them  be  unto  thee  as  a  rule  of 
life. 

He  that  comforts  a  brother  in 
distress,  stretches  out  his  hand  to 
Jesus. 

He  that  bears  with  patience  the 
burthen  which  Providence  has  laid 

*  Matt.  XXV.  40.  I 


) o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  91 

on  him,  carries  on  his  shoulders 
Jesus,  and  Him  crucified. 

He  that  addresses  words  of  con- 
solation to  the  afflicted,  gives  to 
Jesus  a  loving  kiss. 

He  that  mourns  over  the  faults 
of  his  brother,  and  supplicates  for 
his  pardon,  washes  and  wipes  the 
feet  of  Jesus. 

He  that  turns  the  anger  of  his 
brother  to  peace,  prepares  in  his 
soul  a  bed  of  flowers  for  Jesus. 

He  that  at  table  gives  up  to  a 
brother,  the  better  portion  set  aside 
for  himself,  feeds  Jesus  with  the 
bread  and   honey  of  charity. 

He  that  meditates  piously  and 
fervently  on  the  adorable  perfec- 
tions of  God,  introduces  Jesus  into 
the  secret  chamber  of  his  soul. 

He  that  presents  a  book  of  holy 
wisdom  to  his  brother,  offers  choice 
wine  to  the  lips  of  Jesus. 

He  that  prohibits  frivolous  con- 

o 


O- ( 

92  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

versation,  drives  away  the  flies 
from  the  stable  of  Jesus. 

He  that  will  not  hearken  to  de- 
traction, but  reproves  unseemly 
conversation,  arms  himself  with 
a  staff"  to  drive  away  an  inaus- 
picious animal  from  the  house  of 
Jesus. 

He  that  during  refection  reads  to 
his  brethren  correctly  and  distinct- 
ly, serves  up  a  heavenly  cup  to 
the  guests  of  Jesus,  and  inebriates 
them  with  the  wine  of  joy  ;  but  he 
that  reads  ill,  takes  away  the  relish 
of  the  food  ;  and  he  that  stammers, 
stains  the  cloth  which  covers  tne 
table  of  Jesus. 

He  that  hears  his  neighbour 
slandered,  and  feels  therefrom 
much  grief  and  deep  sorrow, 
anoints  with  balm,  the  sacred 
wounds  of  Jesus. 

2.  He  that  speaks  of  the  good 
example  and  virtues  of  his  neigh- 
O O 


O Q 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  93 

hour,  presents  to  Jesus,  a  nosegay 
of  fair  flowers. 

He  that  reads  devoutly,  and  an- 
nounces piously  the  words  of 
Jesus,  diffuses  sweet  perfume  in 
the  nostrils  of  those  that  hear  him. 

He  that  bears  charitably  with 
the  faults  of  his  neighbour,  and 
gives  them  a  favourable  construc- 
tion, shall  readily  obtain  mercy 
from  Jesus. 

He  that  throws  a  veil  over  the 
vices  or  scandals  of  his  neighbour, 
spreads  a  garment  over  the  naked 
limbs  of  Jesus. 

He  that  meditates  on  the  hum- 
ble life  and  divine  miracles  of  Je- 
sus, and  therewith  sw^eetly  nour- 
ishes his  soul,  drinks  in  milk  and 
honey  from  the  mouth  of  Jesus. 

Thus  spoke  and  thus  acted  the 
blessed  Agnes,  who  afterwards,  had 
the  happiness  of  shedding  her  blood 
for  the  love  of  Jesus. 
I O 


o- 


) Q 

94  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

He  that  reads  or  sings  in  the 
place  of  a  weak  or  sick  brother, 
sweetly  plays  on  the  harp  with 
the  angels  before  the  cradle  of 
Jesus. 

He  that  prays  devoutly,  abstains 
from  delicate  meats,  and  renounces 
all  his  possessions,  comes  with  the 
holy  Magi  to  lay  three  costly  of- 
ferings in  the  hands  of  the  infant 
Jesus. 

He  that  washes  the  feet  and 
garments  of  his  brethren,  and  does 
the  meanest  offices,  baptizes  Jesus, 
with  St.  John  the  Baptist. 

He  that  lores  solitude  and  si- 
lence, enters  the  desert  with  Jesus. 

He  that  does  violence  to  his  in- 
clinations, and  chastises  his  body, 
fasts  with  Jesus. 

He  that  speaks  words  of  salva- 
tion to  his  brethren,  preaches  with 
Jesus  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

He    that    prays    constantly    for 


o ■ — o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  95 

such  of  his  brethren  as  are  weak 
or  in  temptation,  visits  Lazarus  with 
Jesus,  and  weeps  with  Martha  and 
Mary  at  His  tomb. 

3.  He  that  offers  or  frequently 
hears  the  holy  sacrifice  of  the  mass 
for  the  faithful  departed,  or  recites 
the  office  for  them,  comes  with 
Jesus  to  the  tomb  of  Lazarus,  to 
beg  that  He  would  mercifully  de- 
liver their  souls  from  suffering. 

He  that  goes  to  the  common  re- 
fectory with  his  brethren,  to  hear 
spiritual  reading,  eateth  and  drink- 
eth  with  Jesus  and  His  disciples. 

He  that  lays  up  in  his  heart  the 
words  of  God,  which  he  has  heard 
in  the  refectory,  reposes  with  the 
Apostle  St.  John,  during  the  last 
supper,  on  the  breast  of  Jesus. 

He  that  submits  humbly,  and 
without  delay,  to  do  what  is  painful 
to  him,  truly  follows  Jesus  with  His 
disciples  to  Mount  Olivet,  where  he 

o o 


o o 

96  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

was  betrayed  and  delivered  to  His 
enemies. 

He  that  has  instant  recourse  to 
fervent  prayer  in  tribulation  or 
temptation,  contends  together  with 
Jesus  in  His  agony,  against  the  as- 
saults of  Satan. 

He  that  entirely  renounces  his 
own  will,  fulfils  the  will  of  God 
the  Father,  with  Jesus,  and  with 
courageous  resignation  carries  his 
cross  even  to  Calvary. 

He  that  prays  for  his  enemies, 
and  willingly  pardons  those  that 
have  sinned  against  him,  prays 
with  Jesus  that  his  enemies  may 
not  perish,  but  rather  that  they  may 
be  converted  unto  God  and  live. 

He  that  voluntarily  renounces 
the  things  of  this  world,  and  casts 
aside  the  flattery  q(  the  senses,  ex- 
pires with  Jesus  on  the  cross  ;  and 
his  spirit,  like  that  of  the  Apostle 
St.  Paul,  is  rapt  even  to  Paradise. 
O ( 


o c 

GARDEX   OF  ROSES.  97 

4.  He  that  keeps  his  heart  clean 
and  peaceful,  wraps  up  Jesus  in 
fair  white  linen,  and  entombs  Him 
in  his  breast. 

He  that  perseveres  unto  the 
end  in  the  service  of  Jesus,  sweet- 
ly reposes  with  Him  in  the 
peaceful  slumber  of  the  holy  sep- 
ulchre. 

He  that  weeps  for  the  sorrows 
of  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  de- 
serves that  she  and  her  holy  Son, 
should  console  him  in  his  afflic- 
tion, and  last  agony. 

He  that  in  spirit  recalls  the 
words  and  actions  of  Jesus,  and 
makes  thereof  a  spiritual  food,  pre- 
pares sweet  spikenard  to  soften 
the  bitterness  of  his  passion. 

He  that  gives  humble  and  de- 
vout thanks  for  the  blessings  he 
has  received,  comes  with  Mary 
Magdalen,  bringing  sweet  perfume 
to  the  sepulchre  of  Jesus. 
O O 


o o 

98  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

He  that  after  contrition  and  con- 
fession of  sins,  firmly  resolves  to 
amend  his  life,  rises  with  Jesus 
from  the  death  of  sin. 

He  that  shakes  off  his  spiritual 
torpor  and  lukewarmness,  and  be- 
comes animated  with  new  fervour, 
celebrates  in  spirit  a  new  pasch 
with  Jesus,  and  sings  with  Him  in 
choir  a  hallelujah  of  joy. 

He  that  despises  the  pleasures 
of  the  world, — flies  from  its  dan- 
gers,— loves  a  religious  life,  and 
accepts  its  obligations,  enters  with 
Jesus  and  his  disciples  into  "  the 
upper  chamber,"  there  to  serve  God 
in  freedom  and  in  secret ;  there  to 
lead  a  life  more  pure,  and  to  re- 
ceive more  abundantly  the  graces 
of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

He  that  is  cold  and  indifferent 

on    earthly    things,   and   enflamed 

through  holy  meditation,  with  such 

as  are  heavenly,  forsakes  the  earth 

O— ^ O 


; O 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  99 

with  Jesus,  and  mounts  with  Him 
to  heaven. 

Blessed  is  the  soul  in  which  "  to 
live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain,"* 
for  he  that  would  live  to  Christ, 
must  die  to  himself:  and  he  that 
would  be  wise  and  happy  in  the 
sweetness  of  Christ,  must  renounce 
all  perishable  things. 

Total  separation  from  the  thingrs 
of  this  world,  is  painful,  and  death 
is  grieA'ous  :  but  to  reign  in  joy 
with  Christ,  is  salvation  and  life 
eternal. 

Oh  !  when  shall  the  moment 
come  when  God  shall  be  my  all  ? — 
when  I  shall  be  all  for  Him  ! — 
when  I  shall  be  united  to  Him  ! 

For  ah  !  the  faithful  soul  cannot 
be  fully  blessed,  till  it  be  united  to 
God  in  glory. 

Guided  then  by  divine  love,  fol- 
iu>v  Jesus  all  the  days  of  thy  life  ; 

*Phil.  i.  21. 
O ( 


o 9 

100  GARDEN   OF  ROSES. 

filled  with  a  lively  faith  and  ani- 
mated with  an  ardent  charity : — 
that  thou  mayst  at  length  be  found 
worthy  to  see  Him  face  to  face, 
there,  where  he  is  Himself,  the 
blessing-  and  the  joy  of  the  angels. 
To  which  beatific  vision  may 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  lead  us 
hereafter  : — He  who,  for  us,  en- 
dured the  bitter  death  of  the  cross. 
Amen. 


CHAP.  XVHI. 

ON    THE    ETERNAL    PRAISE   OF    GOD. 


**  Semper  laus  ejus  in  ore  men"* 

"  His  praise  shall  he  always  in 
my  mouthy 

1 .  Oh  !  words  full  of  sweetness 
in  ihe  ears  of  all  devout  christians^ 

*  Ps.  xxxiii.  1 

o o 


GARDEN   OF  ROSES.         101 

but  sweeter  far  when  uttered  in 
the  high  court  of  heaven  in  pres- 
ence of  the  Almighty  King,  and 
His  blessod  ministers,  the  holy  an- 
gels. Were,  ail  the'  instrinncnts 
of  music  in  the  world  brought  to- 
gether, in  ccncert  ?rid  noi  rt  scund* 
with  the  praises  ol' their  God,  vein 
would  be  their  melody :  to  a  pious 
soul,  they  could  afford  neither 
pleasure  nor  satisfaction  :  because 
God  and  His  glory  must  be  the 
prime  source  of  all  our  music,  and 
not  the  gratification  of  miserable 
vanity :  for  thus  only  can  our 
praise  be  grateful  or  acceptable  to 
God.  When  thy  songs  are  anima- 
ted with  pure  intentions,  then  canst 
thou  exult  in  transports  of  holy  joy 
with  blessed  Mary  in  her  sublime 
canticle.  Sweet  is  the  symphony 
both  on  earth  and  in  heaven,  to 
praise  the  Lord,  with  heart  unde 
filed,  and  voice  in  harmony  with  all 


O- 


o ( 

102  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

creation,  for  His  goodness  un- 
speakable, and  glorious  magnifi- 
cence. Delightful  task  to  praise 
God  at  all  times  to  ]o^h^  \he  Creator 
of  Iteaven  and  earth.,  Wnd  to  honour 
abundantly  the  Giver  .  of  eternal 
iiO-^ :  So'indeed  the  life,  the  hon- 
our,'the  glory  of  the  holy  angels 
are  entirely  expended  in  praising 
God  with  all  their  powers;  never 
ceasing  from  their  song  divine  :  in 
this,  they  never  tire  in  singing  forth 
His  praise,  nor  ever  praise  in  vain. 
In  this  manner  are  the  souls  of 
the  saints  incessantly  occupied  in 
their  heavenly  abodes  : — now  freed 
from  the  chains  of  the  body,  and 
secure  from  the  wiles  of  Satan  and 
all  temptation  :  united  to  God  in 
perfect  charily,  and  filled  with 
never  ending  joy,  and  happiness 
unspeakable.  Now  at  rest  from 
all  their  labours,  they  look  back 
with  infinite  dcliirht  at  the  severe 
O O 


o o 

GARDEN   OF  ROSES.  103 

trials,  the  grievous  afflictions  en- 
dured in  this  life  : — at  the  vari- 
ous dangers  and  temptations,  from 
which  they  have  escaped.  Now  all 
their  groans  and  lamentations  are 
changed  into  canticles  of  joy,  while 
the  stripes  and  bufl'etings  inflicted 
by  a  vile  world,  are  become  a 
greater  augmentation  to  their  crown 
of  glory. 

2.  Oh  !  happy  country,  where  all 
is  peace,  where  grief  or  sadness  is 
unknown,  where  everything  is  re- 
fulgent with  joy,  ever  resounding 
with  praise  divine  and  sweetest 
melody.  Therefore  praise  thou 
also  faithful  soul,  praise  the  Lord 
of  heaven  ;  and  do  thou,  O  Sion, 
bending  imder  the  load  of  terrene 
and  grovelling  propensities,  —  do 
thou  praise  thy  God  !  Do  thou  in- 
voke Jesus  from  the  scene  of  thy 
conflict ; — that  attended  by  His  ho- 
ly anoels  He  mav  descend  to  thy 

O — ^ ^O 


o o 

104  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

aid.  and  shield  thee  by  His  power- 
ful protection.  Beseech  him  that 
the  power  of  the  evil  one  may  not 

prevail    against    thee, that    the 

wickedness  of  the  flesh  may  not 
seduce  thee, — that  neither  the  sal- 
utary strictness  of  religious  disci- 
pline nor  the  severity  of  thy  neces- 
sary labours  may  overcome  thee. 
For  the  sake  of  thy  Saviour,  cheer- 
fully undergo  the  burthen  of  the 
holy  cross,  which  will  hereafter 
open  unto  thee  the  gate  of  the 
heavenly  kingdom.  What  wilt 
thou  more  ? 

The  royal  road  leading  to  Christ, 
is,  to  conquer  thy  headstrong  will, 
— to  patiently  bear  the  weakness  of 
thy  brother, — and  mortify  thy  flesh. 
For  a  transient  toil,  thou  wilt  ex- 
change eternal  repose  ;  —  for  an 
humble  state  and  low  degree,  thou 
shalt  enjoy  honour  and  glory  with- 
out end.  Let  the  praise  of  God 
O O 


) o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  105 

therefore,  be  always  in  thy  mouth, 
both  in  prosperity  and  adversity  : 
for  in  this,  there  is  abundant  merit, 
if  thou  resign  thyself  with  all  sin- 
cerity to  the  will  of  God.  What- 
soever affliction  may  happen,  whe- 
ther from  within  or  from  without, 
receive  all  with  humble  thankfuU 
ness  from  the  hand  of  a' most  cle- 
ment and  merciful  God  who  hath 
care  for  all  His  creatures  high  and 
low. 

He  who  hath  made  thee  accord- 
ing to  His  own  image  and  like- 
ness, will  not  according  to  his  un- 
speakable goodness,  forsake  thee 
in  thy  necessity. 

3.  Open  then  thy  mouth  to  sing 
the  praise  of  the  Omnipotent,  by 
whose  providence  are  directed  and 
governed  all  things  whether  in 
heaven  or  on  earth,  in  the  sea,  or 
the  uttermost  depths  of  the  abyss. 
Praise  thv  Creator  who  hath  made 


C- 


o ■ o 

lOG  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

thee  a  man  and  not  a  beast :  and 
although  He  had  even  made  thee 
a  fly,  still  would  He  merit  thy 
praise  as  having  done  well.  A  lion 
may  not  boast  of  his  strength  oVer 
the  fly  or  the  gnat ;  because  al- 
though he  can  make  the  forests 
ring  with  a  louder  roar,  the  tiny  in- 
sect can  take  a  loftier  flight. 

Let  no  contention  then  take 
place  between  the  great  and  the 
small, — between  the  rich  and  the 
poor, — the  strong  and  the  weak, — 
the  man  of  wisdom  and  the  simple 
of  heart, — between  the  prince  and 
the  peasant ;  but  let  all  with  one 
accord,  praise  the  Lord  our  God : 
who  hath  formed  every  creature 
of  surpassing  beauty  and  wonder- 
ful variety,  in  order  to  more  abun 
dantly  and  openly  proclaim  the 
honour  and  glory  of  His  holy  name 
and  the  benefit  of  man.  O  !  faith- 
ful soul,  praise  thy  merciful    Re- 

O 1 o 


o ■■ o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  107 

deemer,  who  by  His  death  and 
passion,  and  sufferings  on  the  cross, 
hath  rescued  thee  from  the  sen- 
tence of  eternal  death.  Him  thou 
couldst  not  praise  in  a  manner 
worthy  of  these  benefits,  even  if 
thou  couldst  endure  for  His  sake, 
a  thousand  deaths  on  a  cross. 
Praise  thy  Protector  who  hath  pre- 
served thee  from  so  many  dangers, 
and  so  many  sins :  praise  thy  Bene- 
factor who  hath  bestowed  so  ma- 
ny benefits  as  cannot  be  enumera- 
ted. Behold  still  more, — He  daily 
showers  down  new  favours,  and  de- 
scends to  thee, in  person  on  the  holy 
altar;  by  which  He  communicates 
unto  thee,  the  most  precious  gift 
even  He  can  bestow, — Himself  ; 
and  for  all  these  inestimable  fa- 
vours, He  requires  nothing  more. 
He  esteems  nothing  more  than 
this, — that  with  all  purity  and  sin- 
cerity, with  all  thy  heart  and  all 


o o 

108  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

thy  soul,  thou  wouldst   love    and 
praise  Him  for  His  own  sake. 

4.  When  thou  wilt  have  experi- 
enced much  joy  and  when  things 
have  gone  well  with  thee,  offer  thy 
praises  and  thanksgiving,  because 
God  in  His  mercy  hath  vouchsafed 
to  send  thee  consolation,  lest  thou 
faint  on  the  way  :  for  as  often  as 
thou  hearest  orreadestthe  word  of 
God,  as  often  as  thou  dost  medi- 
tate piously  and  devoutly  on  the 
Incarnation  or  Passion  of  Christ, 
so  often  doth  the  Lord  send  bread 
from  heaven  to  cheer  and  comfort 
thy  soul.  When  on  the  other 
hand,  thou  shalt  have  been  overta- 
ken with  sadness  or  surprised  with 
weakness,  offer  thy  praises  and 
thanksgiving :  because  God  then 
visits,  tries,  and  purifies  thee  lest 
thou  become  puffed  up  or  presume 
too  much  on  thyself;  for,  ailliction 
of  body  is  not  unfrequentlv  a  salu-  ^ 

)— ^ c; 


o ^ o 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  109 

salutary  recal  to  compunction  of 
heart. 

When  thou  wilt  have  been  fa- 
voured with  heahh  of  mind  and 
strength  of  body,  then  shalt  thou 
offer  up  praise  and  thanksgiving, 
because  God  hath  vouchsafed  thee 
these  powers  of  mind  and  body,  in 
order  that  thou  mayest  give  thyself 
to  useful  labour  or  the  service  of 
others  ;  never  wasting  thy  valuable 
hours  in  idleness. 

Whenever  thou  art  in  a  garden 
or  orchard,  on  beholding  the  va- 
rious kinds  of  trees,  the  beautiful 
flowers  and  fragrant  roses,  deli- 
cious apples,  and  mellow  pears,  the 
verdant  plants  and  odoriferous  lil- 
ies, offer  up  thy  praise  and  thanks- 
srivinsf,  because  God  deions  to 
show  thee  so  many  of  his  won- 
drous works,  springing  and  bud- 
ding forth  from  the  earth  :  all  of 
which  in  admirable  power  and  wis- 


o o 

no  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 

dom,  He  renews  from  year  to  year, 
in  accordance  with  His  benignity 
and  for  man's  use  and  benefit. 

Therefore  at  all  times  and  in 
every  place,  praise  the  Lord  and 
give  Him  thanks  because  all  the 
earth  is  filled  with  His  majesty, 
and  His  glory  is  above  the  heav- 
ens. Together  with  all  the  saints 
upon  earth,  do  thou  praise  the 
Lord,  Who  is  praised  without  end, 
by  all  the  Angels  in  heaven.  In 
praising  God  thou  art  made  like  unto 
Angels  ;  in  neglecting  His  praise, 
thou  art  base  and  ungrateful  ;  — 
yea,  worse  than  the  brute  beasts. 

Behold  the  birds  of  the  air,  how 
they  sing,  the  fishes  of  the  sea,  how 
they  swim,  the  dogs  of  the  earth, 
how  they  bark,  the  cattle  and 
flocks  of  the  field,  how  they  bleat 
and  low  ; — all  these,  each  in  its 
way,  show  forth  the  praise  and 
glory  of  God  :  nay,  more  the  very 

! O 


o a 

GARDEN  OF  ROSES.  Ill 

elements  themselves  are  moved, 
elevated,  and  affected  with  the  glo- 
ry of  God,  and  by  their  natural  mo- 
tions and  regular  changes,  proclaim 
the  magnificence  of  their  Creator. 
Therefore  in  all  thy  actions, 
have  God  ever  before  thy  eyes  ; 
carefully  avoiding  aught  that  may 
offend  Him.  Thank  Him  for  all 
the  benefits  so  abundantly  bestow- 
ed ;  and  at  the  conclusion  of  every 
business  and  every  employment, 
thus  pour  out  thy  liveliest  gratitude 
from  the  bottom  of  thy  soul, — re- 
peating,— "  Praise  be  to  God  now 
and  forever  more!  Let  every 
spirit  praise  the  Lord !     Amen." 

THE  END 

OF 

THE  LITTLE  GARDEN  OF  ROSES. 


c o 


o o 

THE  PROLOGUE 

TO    THIS     LITTLE     BOOK. 


0- 


*'  Justus  germinabit  sicut  lilium,  et 
fiorebU  in  aienium  ante  Dominum."* 

"  The  just  shall  spring  as  tlie  lily, 
and  his  root  shall  spread  forth  before 
the  Lord  for  ever." 

This  little  book  may  be  called  the 
Valley  of  Lilies,  to  distinguish  it  from 
that  which  precedes  it,  under  the 
title  of  the  Little  Garden  of  Roses ; 
for  as  that  treats  of  many  virtues, 
which  spring  forth  as  fair  roses,  in 
the  Garden  of  Jesus,  so  this  discour- 
ses of  many  other  virtues,  which  as 
so  many  lilies  of  exceeding  white- 
ness, are  planted  by  our  Lord  Jesus 
in  the  valley  of  humility  ;  where 
they  are  sweetly  bedewed  and  fer- 
tilized by  the  inward  infusion  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  For,  according  to  the 
*  Osee  xiv.  6. 


Q : O 

116  PROLOGUE. 

testimony  of  St.  Gregory,  to  seek  to 
acquire  all  other  virtues,  without  hurnil 
ity,  is  to  carry  dust  against  the  wind. 

It  is  of  these  lilies  that  the  spouse 
of  Christ,  out  of  tlie  humility  and  de- 
votion of  her  soul,  speaketh,  in  the 
Canticle  of  Canticles,  when  wishing 
to  declare  the  inward  joy  and  conso- 
lation she  experienced  from  the  visit 
of  the  Divine  Spouse,  and  the  graces 
He  had  heaped  upon  her,  she  says  : 
"  I  to  my  beloved,  and  my  beloved  to 
me,  who  feedeth  among  the  lilies."* 
And  again  :  "  My  beloved  is  white 
and  ruddy."  "  So  shall  he  repose 
upon  my  bosom." 

To  Him  be  praise,  honour,  and  glory, 
for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 
*  Cant.  vi.  2.— v.  10. 


(^ 


O 3 


0 o 

THE 

VALLEY   OF   LILIES. 


CHAP.  L 

ox  THE  THREE-FOLD   STATE  OF 
HUMAN    LIFE. 


"  Ego  flos  campi,  et  lilium  con- 
valhum."* 

'*  I  am  fhejlower  of  the  field,  and 
the  lily  uf  the  valley s.^^ 

1 .  This  is  the  voice  of  Christ,  to 
his  holy  Church  in  general,  and  to 
ev^ery  devout  soul  in  particular  ;  for 
Christ  is  the  goodly  and  sovereign 
Spouse  of  the  Church,  and  the 
head  of  all  the  faithful.     He  is  the 

*  Cant.  Cantic.  ii.  1. 


-o 


O 0 

118  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

flower  of  all  virtues,  the  lily  of  the 
valleys,  the  lover  of  humility  and 
chastity. 

If  thou  wouldst  serve  Christ, 
and  please  the  Heavenly  Spouse, 
overcome  thy  passions,  gather  the 
lilies  of  virtue,  eschew  idleness, 
study  diligently,  work  at  some  use- 
ful manual  labour,  pray  often  for  a 
more  intimate  union  with  God,  turn 
away  from  the  turmoil  of  the  world, 
love  retirement,  and  avoid  all  idle 
or  hurtful  conversation. 

2.  If  virtue  be  not  in  thy  heart, 
how  seemly  soever  the  outward 
habit,  it  is  worth  nothing  in  the 
sight  of  God.  The  vessel  may  be 
of  fair  proportions  outwardly,  but 
within  it  is  empty. 

Even  as  a  vessel  filled  with  good 
wine,  exhales  a  pleasing  odour,  so 
from  the  good  heart  of  a  religious 
man,  whose  affections  are  pure, 
spring  forth  holy  words  and  edify- 
O ' 


o c 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  119 

ing  works,  which  contribute  to  the 
glory  of  God,  and  the  profit  of  his 
neighbour. 

Weigh  well  then,  my  brother, 
the  great  importance  of  the  state  in 
which  thou  art  engaged,  the  out- 
ward marks  of  which  thou  bearest 
before  the  eyes  of  men,  that  so 
thou  mayest  study  both  to  please 
God  worthily,  and  to  edify  thy  fel- 
low-men by  thy  life  and  conversa- 
tion :  ever  remembering  that  whe- 
ther thou  dost  good  or  evil,  both 
are  done  in  the  sight  of  Him  who 
will  render  to  every  one  according 
to  his  works. 

When  therefore  thou  wilt  eat  or 
drink,  when  thou  wilt  sleep  or 
take  repose,  when  thou  wilt  follow 
the  bent  of  thy  desires,  thou  dost 
the  works  of  the  flesh,  and  thy 
conduct  is  like  that  of  the  beasts  of 
the  earth  ;  that  wander  about,  that 
eat,  drink,  and  fill  their  belly,  till 

o o 


o o 

120  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

they  are  satisfied  ;  that  butt  with 
their  horns,  that  tear  with  their 
claws  or  teeth,  that  scowl  with 
threatening  looks  on  those  who  re- 
sist them,  and  fill  the  air  with 
hideous  cries, — such  are  carnal 
men, — such  the  glutton — the  miser 
— the  proud — the  passionate  and 
the  brawler  ; — for  the  spirit  of  God 
is  not  in  them,  and  they  are  sub- 
ject to  their  passions  only. 

3.  But  when  thou  dost  watch  or 
pray,  when  thou  wilt  read  or  sing 
psalms  and  hymns  to  the  glory  of 
God  and  His  saints,  when  thou  wilt 
fast,  and  abstain  from  vice,  and 
make  thyself  useful  to  thy  neigh- 
bour, when  thou  wilt  mourn  and 
weep  over  thy  own  disorders,  or 
confess  them,  and  supplicate  par- 
don of  God ;  then  thou  dost  the 
works  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  follow 
His  inspirations,  and  fulfil  the  du- 
ties of  a  religious  life.  Such  con- 
O 


VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  121 

duct  is  like  that  of  the  angels  in 
heaven,  who  ever  sing  the  praise 
and  glory  of  God,  from  whose  face 
they  never  turn  away. 

But  when  thou  wilt  give  way  to 
sentiments  of  anger,  when  thou 
wilt  nourish  pride,  when  thou  wilt 
give  loose  to  detraction  and  mur- 
muring, when  thou  wilt  commit 
a  fraud  or  practice  lying,  when 
thou  wilt  disturb  others  or  rejoice 
over  the  evil  that  has  happened  to 
thy  neighbour,  when  his  prosper- 
ity afflicts  thee,  when  thou  despi- 
sest  him  in  thy  heart,  or  when  thou 
labourest  diligently  for  thy  own  in- 
terest only ;  then  thou  foUowest 
the  suggestions  of  the  devil,  and 
thy  conduct,  full  of  malice  and 
teeming  with  disorder,  resembles 
his  :  for  that  spirit  of  iniquity  owns 
no  counsellor  but  his  passions, — 
no  motive  but  his  perverseness. 
He    does  all   the    evil  he  can,  or 

O 

5a 


o o 

122  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

dare  ;  and  because  there  is  no  good 
in  him,  he  strives  hard  to  seduce 
and  pervert  the  sons  of  men. 

The  life  of  the  just  is  like  that 
of  the  angels,  and  the  life  of  the 
carnal  man  like  that  of  the  beasts  ; 
but  the  life  of  the  proud  is  like 
that  of  devils. 

Servants  of  God,  take  heed,  lest 
you  fall  into  the  snares  which  the 
spirits  of  malice  lay  for  you  ;  for 
you  will  be  accused  by  them  at  the 
awful  tribunal  of  God,  and  there 
confounded. 


O- 


) o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  123 

CHAP.    II. 

OF     THE    PRAISE     OF    GOD     DURING 

THE  BARRENNESS  OR  TEPIDITY 

OF    DEVOTION. 


"  Pauper  et  inops  laudahunt  no- 
men  iuum,  Dominey* 

"  The  poor  and  needy  shall  praise 
thy  na/ne,  0  Lord  /" 

1 .  If  in  prayer  or  holy  meditation, 
thou  shouldst  fall  into  a  state  of 
dryness,  coldness  or  sadness,  be 
sure  not  to  give  way  to  despair,  or 
cease  to  call  humbly  on  the  name 
of  Jesus. 

But  in  poverty  of  spirit,  perse- 
vere in  giving  praise  and  thanks- 
giving to  God ;  and  take  comfort 
abundantly    when    reading    these 

I  *  Ps.  Ixxiii.  2L 

D- O 


O 0 

124  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

words  :  "  The  poor  and  needy  shall 
praise  thy  name,  O  Lord  !" 

For,  many  holy  and  devout  souls 
have  been  proved  by  dryness,  and 
seemed  for  a  long  while  as  it  were 
abandoned  by  God,  that  they  might 
thereby  learn  patience  and  compas- 
sion for  others,  by  the  sense  of 
their  own  sorrow  and  need  ;  and 
not  to  presume  too  nuich  on  them- 
selves in  the  moment  of  fervour, 
and  in  the  season  of  spiritual  jubi- 
lation. 

Say  with  the  Psalmist,  "  I  am 
needy  and  poor."*  In  the  Lord  will 
I  put  my  trust,  for  He  is  my 
strength  and  my  salvation,  and  all 
good  comes  from  God. 

2.  Restrain  thyself  then  from 
presumption,  when  gladness  is 
vouchsafed,  and  beware  of  discour- 
agement, when  the  clouds  of  sor- 
row gather  around  :   receive  each 

*  Ps.  xix.  6. 

0 O 


Q- 


VALLEY   OF  LILIES.  125 


of  these  as  it  shall  please  God  to 
send  them,  and  in  all  be  content  ; 
for  thou  hast  nothing  of  good  in 
thyself :   all  is  from  God. 

When  the  grace  of  devotion  is 
granted,  the  sun  of  justice  shines 
on  thee  I'rom  the  heights  of  heav- 
en ;  thy  soul  walks  in  brightness 
and  rejoices  in  its  riches.  But,  if, 
permitting  thyself  to  be  deceived 
by  any  feeling  of  vanity  or  pre- 
sumption, thou  will  confide  on  thy 
own  strength,  thou  wilt  indeed  be 
wretched. 

When  the  grace  of  devotion  is 
withdrawn  on  account  perhaps  of 
the  abuse  made  of  it,  thy  soul  be- 
comes really  poor  and  weak,  capa- 
ble of  but  very  little,  and  with  no 
relish  for  prayer  :  receive  these 
privations  with  gratitude,  for  in 
withdrawing  these  gifts,  and  hum- 
bling thee  with  His  elect,  God 
giveth  a   new  proof  of  His  love. 

0 o 


I o 

126  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

His  hand  strikes  thee  with  the 
rod,  with  which  He  corrects  His 
children,  for  the  hidden  excesses 
and  numberless  acts  of  negligence 
of  which  thou  art  daily  guilty,  in 
order  to  inspire  thee  with  a  con- 
tempt for  thyself,  and  to  hinder  thee 
from  having  so  high  an  estimate  of 
thy  own  merit ;  as  St.  Paul  says, 
•'  Be  not  high-minded  but  fear.*^ 

The  soul  is  a  great  gainer  when 
deeply  penetrated  with  a  sense  of 
self-contempt,  it  gives  entirely  to 
God  all  the  glory  of  the  good  it 
may  have  done. 

*  Rom.  xi.  20. 


-0 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  127 

CHAP.    III. 

ON  THE  PROBATION  OF  THE  JUST 
BY  ADVERSITY. 


"  Exultate  justi,  in  Domino J^* 
"  Rejoice  in  the  Lord,  O  ye  just." 

1 .  Joy  is  eternal  in  heaven  ;  sor- 
row is  ete^-nal  in  hell :  both  dwell 
occasionally  on  earth,  to  prove  the 
good  and  the  bad. 

The  sky  is  pure  and  serene  in 
summer,  dark  and  cloudy  in  Avin- 
ter  ;  so  also  is  it  with  the  devout 
soul : — when  the  grace  of  God 
comes  and  illuminates  it,  it  discov- 
ers many  truths  which  were  be- 
fore unknown,  and  understands 
what  before  it  understood  not.  It 
rejoices  with  great  joy,  and  ex- 
presses in  songs  of  gladness,  the 

*  Ps.  xxxii.  3. 

o o 


o c 

128  VALLEY  OF   LILIES. 

happine^  which  it  feels.  But  the 
season  of  trial  comes  at  last,  and 
the  grace  of  devotion  is  with- 
drawn ;  then  winter  comes,  in  ice 
and  cold,  in  the  gloom  of  the  intel- 
lect and  fear  of  soid.  Then  pa- 
tience, most  needful  to  our  wants 
as  It  is  pleasing  to  God,  comes  to 
our  aid  ;  in  such  trials  our  advance 
in  virtue  grows  apace,  and  by  pa- 
tience, will  our  eternal  recom- 
pense hereafter  be  increased. 

2.  The  chastisements  of  God 
humble  and  purify  the  soul,  con- 
found our  pride,  and  dissipate  all 
vain-glory. 

So  long  as  the  soul  is  united  to 
the  body,  so  long  does  God  prove 
man,  in  turn,  under  both  relations, 
that  he  may  make  greater  progress 
in  the  love  of  Christ. 

Wherefore  it  is  a  proof  of  great 
knowledge  and  virtue,  to  profit  by 
adversity  as  well  as  prosperity. 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  129 

Bless  then,  0  my  soul,  bless  the 
Lord,  at  all  times.  Sing,  0  Sion, 
day  and  night,  the  praises  of  the 
Lord,  and  thy  reward  shall  be 
great  in  the  sight  of  God,  in  heav- 
en and  on  earth ;  for  all  shall  tend 
to  thy  spiritual  advantage,  wheth- 
er prosperity  or  adversity,  good  or 
evil,  joy  or  sorrow.  Whence  the 
apostle  saith  ;  "  We  know  that  to 
them  that  love  God,  all  things  work 
together  unto  good  ;''*  and  nothing 
shall  ever  be  wanted  to  those  that 
fear  Him.  Blessed  are  they  who 
in  all  things  follow  the  will  of  God. 

*  Rom.  vjii.  28. 


o o 

130  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

CHAP.  IV. 

OF  THE  TRUE  LOVER  OF  GOD. 

"  Diligite  Dominum,  omnes  sanc- 
ti  ejus.''* 

"  O  Love  the  Lord,  all  ye  his 
saints.'' 

1 .  Love  Him,  rich  and  poor,  love 
Him  great  and  small  ;  for  it  is  He 
who  made  both  poor  and  rich,  both 
small  and  great. 

He  that  would  truly  love  God, 
must  love  Him  purely ;  that  is  to 
say,  must  love  God  for  God,  and 
with  none  other  wish  but  that  of 
enjoying  Him  alone.  Such  love 
must  have  for  its  end  neither  tem- 
poral advantage  nor  profit,  nor  in- 
ward consolation — no — not  even 
eternal   recompense ;    but  wholly 

*  Ps.  XXX.  24. 

o o 


O ( 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  131 

and  entirely  for  His  infinite  good- 
ness and  surpassing  worth. 

It  is  for  this  reason  that  the 
Psalmist,  inviting  us  to  sing  the 
praises  of  God,  says  and  repeats  so 
often,  "  Give  glory  to  the  Lord,  for 
He  is  good  :"* — words  which  are 
indeed  sweet  to  such  as  love  God  ; 
— but,  for  the  consolation  of  the 
contrite  and  repentant  mourner,  he 
adds — "  For  His  mercy  endureth 
for  ever." 

Ye  weak  and  frail,  taste  ye  the 
sweetness  of  these  words  ; — what- 
ever be  your  sins,  despair  not — 
"  for  His  mercy  endureth  for  ever." 

2.  The  deeper  our  humility,  and 
the  more  fervent  our  love,  the  more 
pleasing  shall  we  be  to  God. 

Blessed  is  he  that  accounteth 
himself  the  vilest  of  creatures,  and 
who  shuns  every  thing  contrary  to 
the  will  of  God. 


■O 


G 

132  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

Blessed  is  he,  who  out  of  chari- 
ty and  with  a  pure  intention,  does 
every  action  for  God,  and  with  a 
view  to  please  Him  ;  and  who  pro- 
poses to  himself  no  other  end,  than 
His  honour,  praise,  and  glory. 

Blessed  is  he  who  attributes 
nothing  that  he  possesses  to  his  own 
merits,  but  freely  returns  to  God 
all  that  he  has  received  from  Him. 


-O 


o ■■ o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  133 

CHAP.  Y. 

ON   TILE  GRATITUDE  OF  THE  SOUL 
FOR   EVERY  GOOD. 


*'  Magnijicate  Duminum  mecum^  et 
exaltemus  nomen  ejus  in  idipsum"^ 

"  O  magnify  the  Lord  with  me  ; 
and  let  us  extol  his  name  tngether^ 

1 .  He  that  for  the  least  favour,  is 
most  grateful  to  God,  gives  Him 
worthy  praise,  and  appreciates  the 
goodness  and  bounty  of  Him,  Avho 
above  all  is  infinitely  great ;  for  no 
grace  can  be  small  or  contempti- 
ble, "that  comes  from  the  liberal 
hand  of  the  Most  High. 

God  seeks  and  asks  for  nothing, 
but  that  our  love  may  be  disinter- 
ested ;  and  that  by  carefully  avoid- 
ing all   offence    against   him,   we 

*  Ps.  xxjfiii. 

o o 


o o 

134  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

should  everywhere  and  always  give 
proofs  to  Him  of  our  sincere  grati- 
tude. 

2.  Great  in  the  sight  of  God  is 
he,  who  is  filled  with  deep  humility, 
and  contempt  for  himself — who 
judges  himself  unworthy  to  par- 
take in  His  gifts  and  benefits,  and 
when  he  makes  use  of  such  as  he 
has  received,  seeks  neither  to  sati- 
ate his  vanity,  nor  to  court  the  es- 
teem of  men. 

But  greater  is  he,  who  although 
like  Job,  afilicted,  overwhelmed 
with  contempt  and  injuries,  de- 
spoiled of  his  goods,  abandoned  by 
his  friends,  tempted  by  the  devil, 
loaded  with  derision,  and  covered 
with  confusion, — yet  rejoices  in 
tribulation,  giving  thanks  to  God, 
and  blessing  His  holy  name  ;  reck- 
ons as  great  gain  to  his  soul,  the 
evils  and  calamities,  which  weigh 
heavy  upon  him  ;  and  endures 
C ( 


) o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  135 

them  all  without  murmur,  for  the 
love  of  God. 

3.  Blessed  is  he,  who  after  the 
example  of  Job,  leams  to  acknowl- 
edge the  hand  which  strikes  him, 
and  to  submit  with  pious  resigna- 
tion to  the  rod  of  affliction ;  trusting 
wholly  to  the  mercy  of  God,  and 
bowing  unreservedly  to  His  holy 
will. 

Blessed  is  he  who  ever  seeks 
after,  and  prefers  before  all,  the 
will  of  God,  and  who  takes  plea- 
sure in  being  accounted  vile  in  the 
eyes  of  man  : — who  rejoices  in  the 
midst  of  insult  and  injury,  and  who 
receives  temporal  losses  as  minis- 
tering servants  to  the  good  of  his 
soul 


-O 


<-N- 


-o 


136  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

CHAP.  VI. 

ON  THE  CONFORMITY  OF  THE  DE- 
VOUT SOUL  TO  THE  CROSS. 


"  Cum  ipso  sum  in  tribulationey* 
"  I  am  with  him  in  tribulation y 

1 .  The  faithful  Soul. — Lord,  what 
mean  those  words  that  I  hear  ? 
"  Give  to  thy  servant  a  right  un- 
derstanding ;" — unfold  to  me  all  the 
consolation  these  words  inclose. 

The  Lord. — Hearken  unto  Me, 
my  son. 

When  thy  heart  is  fallen  into 
tribulation  or  anguish  of  soul,  then 
art  thou  fastened  with  Jesus  to  His 
cross. 

When  consolations  return  in 
the  fervour  of  devotion,  and  thou 
art  constrained  to  express  thy  joy, 

*  Ps.  xc.  15. 

O O 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  137 

by  the  singing  of  hymns  and  holy 
canticles,  then  art  thou  raised  again 
with  Jesus,  in  newness  of  spirit  ; 
then  dost  thou  rise  again  from  the 
dead,  singing  alleluias  of  joy. 

2,  When  on  bended  knees,  thou 
implorest  pardon  of  thy  sins,  la- 
menting and  deploring  them  in  the 
bottom  of  thy  heart ;  then  with  re- 
peated blows,  thou  knockest  loudly 
at  the  gate  of  heaven. 

When  turning  away  from  the 
vanities  of  the  world,  thou  givest 
thyself  up  entirely  to  the  meditation 
of  the  good  things  of  eternity  ;  then 
thou  mountestto  heaven  with  Jesus, 
to  live  there  in  the  company  of  the 
angels. 

JBe  then  meek,  humble,  and  re- 
signed to  the  infirmities  and  rever- 
ses which  may  come  upon  thee 
in  the  service  of  God  ;  patiently 
bear  thy  cross  with  Jesus  ;  die  daily 
on  the  cross,  for  thy  eternal  salva- 

o o 


o o 

138  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

tion  ;  for  every  affliction  of  the 
flesh,  when  borne  with  patience,  i-s 
a  remedy  for  the  evils  of  the  soul, 
a  satisfaction  for  sins,  and  the  hope 
of  future  blessedness  and  glory. 
Amen. 


CHAP.  YII. 

ON   THE  WALKING  OF  A  PURE   SOUL 
WITH   GOD. 


"  Ambulate^  dum  lucem  hahetisy* 

"  Walk  whilst  youhave  the  light. ''^ 

1 .  He  walketh  with  God,  whilst 
there  is  light,  who  has  no  desire  for 
what  this  world  affords  ;  and  who 
fixes  all  his  affections  on  God  in 
heaven  :  for  the  hidden  treasure  of 
the    faithful  soul   is  Jesus  Christ 

*  Joan,  xii.  35. 

O o 


Q 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  139 

our  Lord,  in  whom  all  goodness 
dwells.  , 

He  is  always  in  indigence  and 
want,  however  great  his  riches, 
who  has  not  God  for  his  friend  :  but 
he  that  would  have  God  for  his 
friend  niust.  love  Him,  and  keep 
His  ';aPin&.ndraents. 

9.  y\e.  Keeps  the  copimandments 
of  G  A  who  avoids  all  idle  and 
\vi'J&iS  words  ;  who  shows  by  his 
w«iks,  an  example  of  those  virtues 
)k''  recommends  in  practice  ;  when, 
instead  of  seeking  his  own  glory, 
lie  refers  all  the  glory  and  the  good 
he  may  do,or  observe  in  others,  pure- 
ly and  entirely  to  the  glory  of  God. 

But  he  that  is  satisfied  with  him- 
self, pleases  a  fool,  and  displeases 
God. 

Thus  in  all  the  good  thou  sayest 
or  dost,  seek  only  the  glory  of  God, 
that  thou  mayest  receive  from  Him 
still  greater  favours. 

6—^ o 


o o 

140  VALLEY  OF   LILIES, 

Why  shouldst  thou  glory  in  nat- 
ural advantages,  whereas  thou  art 
a  mere  mortal  and  must  shortly  be- 
come the  food  of  worms  ? 

Young  man,  hear  the  voice  of  an 
ancient  ;  separate  thyself  from  all 
that  might  allure  thy  soul  to  idle- 
ness and  distraction;  for  thou  shalt 
find  repose  o(ily  by  descending  into 
thy  heart,  and  disposing  it  to  seek 
God  before  all  things,  and  to  love 
Him  intimately. 


O- 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  141 

CHAP.    YIII. 

OX   THE  PEACE  OF  HEART,  AND 
REST  IN  GOD. 

"  In  pace  factus  est  locus  ejus."* 
"  His  place  is  in  peace." 

1  The  faithful  Soul.— Lord, 
who  is  he  ihat  dwelleth  in  true 
peace  ? 

The  Lord. — He  that  is  meek, 
and  humble  of  heart.  But  why 
dost  thou  seek  to  inquire  into  the 
state  of  others,  while  thou  neglect- 
est  thyself  in  many  things  ? 

Hearken  then  unto  me  ;  it  is  the 
heart  the  most  humble,  and  the 
most  willing  to  suffer  for  the  sake 
of  God,  that  enjoys  the  most  abun- 
dant peace. 

To   such  ti  one   no  burthen  is 

*  Ps.  \xxv.  3. 

O O 


o ■ 

142  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

heavy,  for  lie  hatli  God  himsoJi  in 
his  heart. 

Blessed  are  they  that  conv^erse 
with  God  in  prayer, — in  medita- 
tion,— hy  sacred  songs, — by  read- 
ing ;  and  who  keep  silence  on  the 
vanities  of  the  passing  world. 

Wherever  thou  art,  wheresoever 
thou  goest,.  whithersoever  thou  fli- 
est,  thy  thoughts  still  accompany 
thee  ;  but  pious  meditation  brings 
joy  to  the  soul,  while  evil  thoughts 
afflict  it. 

Anger  brings  forth  trouble,  and 
envy  blinds  the  soul ;  but  hatred 
kills  it. 

Devout  reading  instructs ;  prayer 
enflames  ;  but  good  works  are  the 
fulfilment  of  the  law. 

2.  Holy  words  purify  the  heart ; 
frivolous  words  defile  it;  idle  words 
scandalize  it ;  bitter  words  sadden 
it ;  words  of  mercy  soothe  dis- 
quietude ;  moral  conversation  edi- 
O O 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  143 

fies  the  heart ;  learned  or  dog- 
matic entertainments  strengthen 
the  faith,  and  heavenl}^  words  ele- 
vate it  to  the  throne  of  the  Divinity. 

Cleanse  then  thy  heart  from  all 
malice,  if  thou  wouldst  enjoy  sweet 
peace. 

There  is  no  sweet  peace  but 
what  comes  from  God,  and  dwells 
in  the  virtuous  soul,  which  performs 
all  things  well  for  the  sake  of  God, 
whom  it  loves. 

Abide  in  silence,  and  endure  a 
little  for  the  sake  of  God ;  and  He 
himself  will  free  thee  from  every 
burthen,  and  from  all  disquietude. 

A  holy  life  and  a  pure  conscience 
beget  confidence  in  God  in  tribula- 
tion and  death  ;  but  an  evil  con- 
science is  always  in  fear,  always 
at  war, — tormented  by  remorse. 

The  angry  man  falls  quigkly 
from  one  evil  into  a  worse  ;  but 
the  patient  and  the  meek  makes  a 
O O 


O Q 

144  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

friend  of  his  enemy,  and  God  will 
be  propitious  to  him,  for  that  he 
hath  shewn  mercy  unto  him  who 
offended  him. 


CHAP.  IX. 

ON    RECOLLECTION   OF  THE    HEART 
WITH   GOD. 


"  Quis  nan  colligit  mecum,  spar- 

git.''* 

"  He  who  gathcrnth  not  with  mpy 
scattcrcth,^^ — saith  our  Lord  Jesvs 
Christ. 

1.  When  through  the  multiplied 
temptations  of  the  evil  one,  the  bit- 
ter passions  of  thy  own  heart,  or 
annoyances  from  thy  fellow-men, 
thou   shalt  have   fallen  into  luke- 

*  Matt.  xii.  30. 

o o 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  145 

warmness,  dissipation  or  distrac- 
tion of  mind,  retire  into  solitude, 
and  there  prostrate  and  alone  at 
the  foot  of  the  Holy  Cross,  or  be- 
fore the  image  of  the  blessed  Vir- 
gin Mary  or  any  other  picture  con- 
secrated either  to  the  honour  of 
God,  or  the  memory  of  His  saints, 
use  thy  endeavour  to  calm  and 
gather  up  thy  soul  by  reciting  the 
Lord's  Prayer,  and  the  Angelical 
Salutation. 

Invoke  especially  Jesus  and 
Mary,  beseech  the  holy  angels, 
and  all  the  heavenly  court,  to  ob- 
tain a  return  of  the  graces  and  con- 
solations of  which  thou  hast  been 
deprived,  and  say  with  holy  Da- 
vid, "  Lord,  all  my  desire  is  before 
Thee,  and  my  groaning  is  not  hid- 
den from  thee."*  Lord,  from  my 
youth  I  have  put  my  hope  in  Thee ; 
unto  Thee  I  fly  in  my  tribulation. 

*  Ps.  xxxvii.  10. 

o o 


o o 

146  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

A  DEVOUT  PRAYER. 

Teach  me,  O  Lord,  ever  to  follow 
Thy  commandments,  to  do  Thy  will, 
and  to  renounce  my  own  ;  for  this  is 
well-pleasing  to  Thee  and  indispens- 
ably necessary  to  the  safety  of  my 
soul. 

O  Lord,  may  T  never  think,  nor 
desire,  nor  do  any  thing  displeasing 
to  Thee,  or  injurious  to  my  neigh- 
hour  : — never  act  contrary  to  what 
Thou  hast  commanded  me,  or  Thy 
devout  and  faithful  servants. 

Jfl  transgress,  correct  me  in  Thy 
mercy,  and  destroy  me  not  in  Thy 
wrath. 

Because  thou  art  my  God,  and  I 
am  Thy  servant — ever  poor — ever 
weak,  and  ever  most  needy  of  Thy 
grace  and  mercy  in  all  things. 

Blessed  he  Thy  holy  name  above 
all,  now  and  for  ever  more  !    Amen. 

6 G 


o 

I 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  147 

CHAP.  X. 

ON  WATCHING  AND  PRAYER 
AGAINST  TEMPTATIONS. 


o- 


"  Vigilate  et  orate  ut  non  intretis 
in  tentationemy* 

"  Watch  and  pray  that  you  enter 
nut  into  tirmptation^ — either  of  the 
Jlesh,  or  the  spirit,  of  the  world  or 
the  devil. 

1.  The  flesh  excites  us  to  concu- 
piscence, the  spirit  to  pride,  the 
world  to  vanity,  the  devil  to  envy : 
but  Christ  hath  taught  us  quite  the 
contrary.  He  exhorts  us  to  prac- 
tice chastity,  humility,  charity,  and 
contempt  for  the  world  ;  if  we 
would  avoid  the  pains  of  hell  and 
deserve  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

To  this  end  we  must  watch  and 

*  Mars.  xiv.  38. 


o o 

148  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

pray,  at  all  times  and  in  every- 
place ;  for  no  part  is  secure  against 
the  attacks  of  our  malignant  enemy 
who  sleeps  not,  nor  rests  from  his 
temptations,  •'  who  continually  goes 
about  seeking  whom  he  may  de- 
vour,"*— whom  he  may  cast  into 
trouble  and  discouragement,  and 
whom  he  may  inspire  with  dis- 
gust for  prayer,  or  other  spiritual 
exercises. 

2.  It  is  for  this  reason  that  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  knowing  the 
malice  of  the  evil  one,  the  efficacy 
of  prayer,  the  strength  of  the  ene- 
my, and  the  weakness  of  man,  ad- 
monishes, in  the  most  earnest  man- 
ner, His  disciples,  and  all  the  laith- 
ful,  to  watch  and  pray,  if  they 
would  not  be  overcome  by  their  en- 
emies,— that  is,  their  vices. 

Watch  ye  then  and  pray,  that 
ye  enter  not  into  the  temptations 

*  1  Pot.  V.  8. 
O V 


VALLEY   OF  LILIES.  149 

of  the  devil,  nor  consent  unto 
him. 

If  thou  art  unable  to  recite  the 
whole  psalter  or  other  long  prayers, 
recite  a  psalm,  a  verse,  a  devout 
hymn  in  honour  of  Jesus,  of  Mary, 
or  of  some  of  the  blessed  saints, 
that  thou  mayest  raise  up  thy  soul 
to  God,  by  the  groanings  of  thy 
heart  or  the  holy  words  thy  mouth 
may  utter. 

For  God  is  nigh  unto  all  them 
that  call  upon  Him  with  humility  ; 
and  "  the  prayer  of  him  that  hum- 
bleth  himself  shall  pierce  the 
clouds,"* — shall  fill  the  soul  with 
trust  in  God,  and  thwart  the 
schemes,  the  efforts,  the  threats, 
and  the  vanities  of  the  devil. 

3.  If  the  presence  of  men  keep 
thee  from  prayer,  "  Enter,"  accord- 
ing to  the  counsel  of  Jesus  Christ, 
"  into    thy    chamber,    and    having 

*  Eccles.  XXXV.  21. 

o o 


) Q 

150  VALLEY   OF   LILIES. 

shut  the  door,  pray  to  thy  Father  in 
secret,"*  who  already  knoweth  the 
thoughts  and  desires  of  thy  heart, 
and  of  what  thou  hast  need. 

Say  unto  Him,  then,  every  time 
thou  wik  address  Him  in  prayer, — 
"  Father !  Thy  will  be  ever  done, 
and  not  mine  ;  grant  me  nothing 
but  what  may  be  conformable  to 
Thy  glory,  and  the  good  of  my 
soul.'- 

When  thou  art  in  choir  with  thy 
brethren,  or  in  church  with  the 
faithful,  read  and  sing  with  a  re- 
collection like  that  of  the  angels 
before  the  throne  of  God. 

Sing  in  such  a  manner  that  thy 
heart  may  be  inwardly  penetrated 
with  compunction,  and  that  thou 
mayest  please  men  without  dis- 
pleasing God  and  His  holy  angels  ; 
for  God  prefers  compunction  of 
heart,  to  a  loud  or  tuneful  voice. 

-  Matt.  vi.  6. 


o- 


O ■ ( 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  lol 

God  is  appeased  by  humble  pray- 
er, but  offended  by  vain  glory. 

The  groanings  of  a  contrite  heart 
draw  down  the  grace  of  God,  and 
impart  strength  to  virtue  ;  but  the 
song  of  a  wandering  heart  quench- 
es devotion  :  for  all  such  faults 
and  negligences  we  must  give  a 
strict  account. 

May  the  divine  mercy  keep  us 
from  all  such  offences,  and  lead  us 
to  the  kingdom  of  heaven  !  Amen. 


-O 


O ( 

152  VALLEY  OF    LILIES. 

CHAP.  XI. 

ON  THE  FEAR  OF  ETERNAL  PUNISH- 
MENT, AS  A  PRESERVATIVE  AGAINST 
THE  VICES  OF  THE   FLESH  AND 
PRIDE  OF  SPIRIT. 


"  Confge  tirnore  tuo  carries 
meas. 

"  Pierce  thou  my  jlesh  with  thy 
fearr 

1 .  Such  a  prayer  is  good  to  re- 
press the  evil  incUriations  of  the 
flesh,  and  humble  the  pride  of  the 
spirit ;  because  these  two  enemies 
fight  against  man  and  harass  him 
daily  :  for  either  the  flesh  torments 
him  by  its  irregular  appetites,  or 
the  spirit  seeks  the  praise  of  men  : 
— applying  its  own  good  works  to 
the  gratification  of  vanity. 

*  Ps.  cxviii.  120 

o o 


I o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  153 

Both  of  these  enemies  are  great 
evils,  and  from  either  side  there  is 
imminent  peril. 

When  thou  art  drawn  to  evil,  by 
that  miserable  tlesh,  so  shortly 
doomed  to  be  the  prey  of  death, 
think  of  the  torments  of  eternal  tire. 
Thns  shalt  thou  extinguish  the  fires 
of  concupiscence,  by  thinking  on 
those  of  hell :  for  it  is  happily  or- 
dered that  impressions  more  fee- 
ble should  disappear  before  those 
which  are  stronger,  that  the  soul 
may  be  saved  "  so  as  by  fire."* 

Short  is  the  duration  of  all  car- 
nal pleasure  : — beauty  of  body,  glo- 
ry, honours, — all  the  enjoyments  of 
this  world,  are  vain  and  deceitful. 

As  a  violent  headache  forces 
complaints  and  groans,  even  from 
the  thoughtless  and  the  negligent, 
so  the  fear  of  death,  and  the  dread 
of  the   punishment  of  hell,  cause 

*  1  Cor.  iii.  15. 

=> ^I ^ 


o o 

154  VALLEY   OF  LILIES. 

the  man  subject  to  his  passions,  to 
resist  temptation,  and  abstain  from 
sin. 

2.  He  that  is  without  fear,  shall 
quickly  fall  into  evil  :  and  he  that 
refuses  to  humble  himself,  in  the 
presence  of  God  and  His  saints, 
shall  be  confounded  by  devils  in 
the  day  of  judgment,  and  cruelly 
tormented  by  them  for  ever. 

Listen  to  an  irrevocable  decree, 
applicable  to  every  creature, — to 
angels  as  well  as  to  men  : — "  God 
resisteth  the  proud,  and  givelh 
grace  to  the  humble."* 

But  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  is 
with  His  saints  and  elect,  from 
eternity  unto  eternity. 

Tremble,  then,  proud  man,  at  the 
judgment  of  God  in  all  thy  actions, 
and  cease  to  glory  in  the  vanity  of 
a  passing  reputation. 

When  thou  hast  done  all  that 

*  Jas.  iv.  6. 

O G 


o ( 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  155 

thou  canst,  and  all  that  thou  oughtst 
to  have  done,  there  yet  remain 
many  things,  and  scarcely  couldst 
thou  restore  one  for  a  thousand. 

Tremble  then  at  the  rod  and  staff 
of  God's  vengeance — tremble  on 
account  of  the  judgment  to  come. 

Every  virtue  shall  be  rewarded, 
but  every  bad  action  shall  be  pun- 
ished. 

If  fire  were  to  break  out  in  thy 
dwelling,  wouldst  thou  not  fear  ? — 
wouldst  thou  not  rise  on  the  in- 
stant and  fly  ?  Such  is  the  effect 
that  ought  to  be  produced  in  thy 
soul  by  the  fear,  and  dread  and 
thoughts  of  the  pains  to  come, 
which  shall  never  end ;  and  who- 
ever entertains  in  his  heart  a  lively 
horror — a  salutary  dread — of  the 
punishments  of  hell,  shall  thereby 
overcome  lukewarmness,  and  re- 
kindle his  fervour. 

C O 


O (J 

156  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

CHAP.  XII. 


ON     THE    MEMORY    OF    OUR    LORDS 

PASSION,  AS   A  REMEDY   AGAINST 

DISSIPATION  OR   DISTRACTION 

OF  MIND. 


"  Beati  qui  lugent,  quoniam  ipsi 
consolabuntur.^^'* 

"  Blessed  are  those  who  weep,  for 
they  shall  be  cum  for  ted.'''' 

1 .  By  whom  shall  they  be  com- 
forted? most  surely  by  Christ— in 
the  secret  of  the  heart,  and  not  by 
the  world  with  its  vain  consola- 
tions and  idle  frivolities. 

Light  and  trifling  discourses, 
pleasant  jests,  and  frequent  laugh- 
ter, have  no  agreement  with  the 
sacred  passion  and  bitter  sufferings 
of  Christ 

*  Matt.  V.  3. 

C) o 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  157 

Were  my  head  or  my  back 
wounded,  even  by  one  of  those 
sharp  thorns  which  formed  the 
crown  of  Jesus  Christ,  would  I 
laugh  and  be  merry?  no,  surely, 
but  rather  weep  and  cry  aloud 
through  pain. 

Were  my  foot  pierced  by  one  of 
the  nails  which  fastened  Jesus  to 
the  cross,  whither  could  I  go,  or 
whither  could  I  run  ?  Doubtless 
I  could  neither  go  nor  run  any- 
where :  I  would  lay  me  down  in 
sorrow,  and  learn  by  the  experience 
of  pain,  to  mourn  over  the  suffer- 
ings of  my  divine  Saviour. 

Happy  should  I  be,  if  the  abun- 
dance and  bitterness  of  my  tears 
could  then  efface  my  sins. 

Oh  !  how  holy  is  the  grief  we 
feel,  and  how  sweet  the  tears  we 
shed,  when  we  weep  over  the  sa- 
cred wounds  of  our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ ! 
) O 


o o 

158  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

2.  Whenever,  then,  thou  art  in 
distress,  or  assailed  by  any  tempta- 
tion, or  on  the  point  of  yielding  to 
some  concealed  weakness,  arm 
thyself  forthwith  with  the  shield  of 
prayer,  and  the  standard  of  the 
Holy  Crpss  ;  take  refuge  in  ihe  sa- 
cred wounds  of  Christ,  and  there 
in  the  fervour  of  prayer,  and  in  se- 
rious meditation  on  His  passion, 
find  a  salutary  remedy  for  all  the 
wants  of  thy  soul. 

Consider    well   the    ponderous, 
high,  and  heavy. cross,  on  which 
Jesus   Christ    hung   naked  ; — fas- 
tened and  transpierced  with  nails  ) 
for  the  love  of  thee. 

Behold  his  crown  ; — count  there 
the  numerous  thorns,  which  pierced 
so  sadly  his  sacred  head,  and  be- 
dewed it  abundantly  with  his  sa- 
cred blood. 

Place  these,  as  well  as  the  other 
instruments  used  in  the  passion  of 
O O 


c c 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  159 

Jesus  Christ,  beside  thee  as  a 
safeguard  by  day  and  night :  lest 
thy  malignant  enemy,  the  devil, 
finding  thy  mind  stripped  of  these 
sacred  representations,  enter  in  and 
pollute  thy  heart  with  vain  thoughts 
and  danoerous  suo-o-estions. 

3.  Let  not  therefore  thy  bed  be 
aid  in  softness  : — in  memory  of 
he  holy  nativity  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
y  'hrist,  think  of  that  crib,  poor  and 
r,  irrow  but  replete  with  all  virtues, 
where  Jesus  was  born,  and  where 
Were  heard  His  infant  cries.  He 
had  no  ornament  for  His  cradle  but  a 
little  straw,  and  no  nourishment  but 
a  little  milk  from  His  Virgin  Mother. 
Let  the  hardness  and  poverty  of 
thy  couch,  recal  in  some  sort,  the 
hard  and  stony  sepulchre  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  ;  crucified  for 
thy  sake,  truly  dead  and  buried  in 
the  bosom  of  the  earth,  and  cover- 
ed with  a  great  stone. 
O 


c o 

160  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

There  then,  seek  repose,  in  the 
peace  of  the  Lord,  forgetting  the 
world  and  all  its  vanities  ;  despi- 
sing all  that  is  reckoned  great  and 
pleasing  in  the  eyes  of  men  ;  that 
rising  with  Him  from  thy  slumber 
thou  mayest  come  forth  refreshed 
in  virtue  and  grace,  and  at  the  last 
day  be  raised  again  to  share  in  the 
eternal  glory  of  the  elect.     Amen. 


O O 


O : O 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  161 

CHAP.  XIII 

ox  THE  INVOCATION   OF  THE   HOLT 

NAME  OF  JESUS,  AND  OF  THE 

BLESSED     MARY,     HIS 

VIRGIN  MOTHER. 


"  Dirige,  Domine,  Deus  mens,  in 
conspectu  tuo  viam  meamy* 

'•  O  Lord,  my  God,  direct  my  way 
in  thy  sight.''^ 

1.  Thy  ways,  O  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  are  beautiful  and  pure  ;  and 
to  those  that  walk  therein,  thy 
paths  are  safe,  and  right,  and  per- 
fect. 

All  thy  paths  are  peaceful  and 
holy,  and  lead  the  faithful  and  hum- 
ble of  heart,  to  the  kingdom  of 
heaven. 

Wherever  thou  mayest  go,   or 

*  Ps.  V.  0. 


-O 


162  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

mayest  direct  thy  steps,  wherever 
thou  shalt  rest  or  sojourn,  chII  upon 
Jesus,  call  upon  Mary,  His  holy 
Mother :  vvith  confidence  repeat 
these  words  of  the  psalmist,  as  the 
guide  of  thy  way ;  "  Direct,  O 
Lord,  my  way  in  thy  sight :"  then 
add  the  following, — "  Perfect  thou 
my  goings,"  O  Jesus,  "  in  Thy 
paths,  that  my  footsteps  be  not 
moved,"  to  behold  vanity,  or  to 
wound  my  soul,  by  words  of 
idleness. 

2.  Next  let  this  comfortable 
prayer  be  for  thy  life's  viaticum, — 
a  provision  for  thy  journey  ; — let  it 
be  as  a  staff  for  thy  firm  support ; — 
say  it  often,  say  it  devoutly  : — 

"  Jesus  and  Mary,  be  ever  toilh 
me  in  the  way,  as  my  good  guards 
at  all  times  and.  in  every  place,  lest 
I  wander  in  bye-paths;  lest  rnxj 
senses  or  my  heart  he  seduced  by  the 
many  illusions  within  and  without.'''' 

o — o 


0 o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  163 

This  holy  prayer.  "  Jesus  and 
Mary,"  is  short,  easily  remember- 
ed, and  carried  about  without  in- 
convenience ;  it  is  sweet  and  plea- 
sing to  the  mind  ;  the  poor  pilgrim 
who  flies  from  the  vanities  of  the 
world,  will  find  in  it  the  consola- 
tion, strength,  and  protection  which 
he  is  in  need  of,  to  hold  on  his 
course  in  safety  ;  it  will  refresh  the 
fatigue  of  the  journey,  and  calm  the 
disquietude  of  his  soul ;  it  w411  fill 
him  with  comfort,  and  aid  him 
mightily  in  resisting  the  obstacles 
which  he  may  meet  with  ;  and  it 
will  help  to  lead  him  by  a  path  di- 
rect to  life  eternal. 

This  holy  prayer  is  addressed  to 
surer  companions,  and  a  more  pow- 
erful escort,  than  all  the  kings  and 
princes  of  this  world,  and  to  higher 
saints  than  all  the  saints  in  heaven 
or  on  earth. 

This  praver  spoken  fervently 
) ^O 


o o 

164  VALLEY  OF   LILIES. 

will  aid  in  procuring  the  favour  of 
all  the  court  of  heaven  ;  who  with 
all  reverence,  ever  follow  Jesus 
Christ  their  Lord,  and  Mary,  their 
holy  lady,  the  blessed  mother  of 
Jesus,  most  w'orthy  of  all  praise, 
and  of  the  homage  and  benediction 
of  all  created  things. 

He  that  has  these  for  his  com- 
panions in  his  earthly  pilgrimage, 
shall  find  in  them  devoted  and 
zealous  patrons  in  the  hour  of  death. 

Never  depart  from  Jesus  and 
Mary  on  earth,  if  thou  wouldst  live 
and  rejoice  with  Jesus  and  Mary 
for  ever  in  heaven. 

Thy  steps  will  be  more  secure, 
with  less  fear  of  wandering,  if 
thou  hast  Jesus  and  Mary  in  thy 
heart ;  if  they  be  the  object  of  thy 
praise,  thy  benediction,  thy  ap- 
plause, thy  transports,  thy  cries  of 
delight,  the  joy  of  thy  heart,  thy 
tears   and  sighs,  thy  aim,  thy  em- 

o o 


I o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  165 

braces,  thy  regards,  and  thy  ado- 
ration. 

3.  Blessed  are  those  who  call 
on  Jesus  and  Mary  continually, — 
who  salute  them  devoutly, — who 
recall  them  lovingly  to  their  mem- 
ory,— who  honour  them  above  all, — 
who  sing  their  praise  with  lively 
joy, — who  glorify  them  to  the  ut- 
most height, — who  love  them  ar- 
dently,— who  make  their  love  the 
delight  of  their  souls, — and  who 
deem  it  happiness  to  sing  and  cele- 
brate their  names  for  ever. 

Oh,  how  sweet  is  Jesus !  how 
sweet  is  holy  Mary,  his  beloved 
mother ! 

Blessed  is  the  pilgrim,  who 
in  the  time  of  his  exile,  is  ever 
mindful  of  the  celestial  country  ; 
where  Jesus  and  Mary  are  sur- 
rounded by  angels  and  saints  in  joy 
ineffable  and  glory  without  end. 

Blessed  is  the  pilgrim  who  seeks 
U O 


o ( 

166  VALLEV   OF   LILIES. 

no  dwelling-place  on  earth,  who 
desires  "  to  be  dissolved  and  to  be 
with  Christ  in  heaven." 

Blessed  is  the  poor  and  needy, 
who  every  day  beg^eth  the  bread 
of  heaven,  and  who  ceases  not  to 
stretch  forth  his  suppliant  hands, 
till  he  receives  the  crinnbs  which 
fall  from  the  table  of  his  Lord. 

Blessed  is  he  that  is  invited  to 
the  Supper  of  the  Lamb,  who  here 
below  receives  the  sacrament  of 
His  love  and  waits  in  patience  un- 
til called  to  sit  down  to  the  ban- 
quet in  heaven. 

4.  Because,  as  often  as  a  per- 
son receives  the  communion  de- 
voutly, or  as  often  as  the  priest 
reverently  and  devoutly  offers  to 
the  honour  of  God  the  holy  sacri- 
fice ;  so  often  does  he  sit  at  the  ta- 
ble with  Jesus,  and  His  blessed 
Mother,  to  eat  and  drink  spiritually 
with  them. 

c o 


VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  167 

Such  a  one  is  the  disciple  of 
Jesus,  the  minister  of  the  blessed 
Virgin  Mary,  the  companion  of  the 
angels,  the  fellow-citizen  of  the 
Apostles,  the  servant  of  God,  is 
nearly  allied  to  the  saints,  and  the 
intimate  friend  of  Heaven, 

He  flies  the  tumult  of  the  world; 
he  turns  away  from  idle  talk ;  he 
meditates  on  the  words  of  Jesus, 
and  watches  carefully  over  his 
heart  and  affections,  that  no  thought 
may  enter  there  to  offend  Jesus,  or 
Mary,  or  the  saints. 

"  He  shall  receive  a  blessing 
from  the  Lord,  and  mercy  from 
God  his  Saviour."*  Whensoever 
he  shall  call  upon  Him,  He  shall 
hear  him  from  His  holy  heaven — 
wheresoever  he  may  be,  and  what- 
soever danger  may  oppress  him. 

For  the  disciples  were  on  the 
sea,  in  danger  of  sinking,  and  they 

*  Ps.  xxiii.  5 


o- 


o o 

168  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 


called  on  Jesus,  and  Jesus  ap- 
peared forthwith,  and  said  to  them. 
"  Why  are  ye  fearful  ?"*  "  Be  of 
good  heart,  it  is  I.  fear  ye  not."t 

The  voice  of  Jesus  is  a  voice 
full  of  sweetness  to  bring  consola- 
tion ;  of  power  to  protect  ;  of  joy 
to  make  the  soul  glad  ;  of  indul- 
gence to  pardon,  and  of  grace  to 
lead  to  life  eternal. 

*  John  vi.  20.  t  Matt.  xiv.  27. 


o o 


O ( 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  169 

CHAP.  XIV. 

ox  THE  NECESSITY  OF  STRUGGLIXG 

MANFULLY  AGAINST  VICE,  AFTER 

THE  EXAMPLE  OF  THE  SAINTS. 


^^Viriliter  agile,  et  confortetur  cor 
vestrurny* 

"  Do  ye  monfiilhj^  and  let  your 
heart  be  strengthened. '''' 

i .  As  the  passion  and  cross  of 
Jesus,  and  the  sufferings  of  the 
martyrs,  teach  lis  to  bear  the  pains 
and  crosses  of  this  life  ;  so  the  pu- 
rity of  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary, 
the  chastity  of  the  holy  virgins, 
widows  and  saints  of  God,  show 
how  we  may  overcome  temptations 
of  the  flesh,  despise  the  riches,  fly 
the  honours,  and  renounce  all  the 
vanities  of  the  world,  to  iiive  our- 


C> 


Ps.  XXX.  25. 


o o 

170  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

selves  up  entirely  to  the  love  and 
pursuit  of  heavenly  things. 

O  servant  of  God,  walk  in  the 
foot-steps  of  those  courageous 
souls,  who  have  given  thee  the  ex- 
ample of  invincible  patience  : — like 
them,  resist  the  devil  and  all  his 
temptations. 

Consider  the  unshaken  constan- 
cy of  weak  and  delicate  virgins, 
and  learn  from  them  to  despise  and 
cast  from  thee  with  contempt,  all 
sensual  pleasures,  and  every  other 
vice. 

If  God  in  His  mercy  has  grant- 
ed  thee  temporal  riches, — thou, 
who  art  nothing, — use  not  these  to 
satiate  vanity, — fix  not  on  them  thy 
foolish  heart ;  for  thou  knowest 
not  how  soon  thou  mayest  be  taken 
away  from  them,  nor  how  long  thou 
mayest  enjoy  them. 

Ask  not  long  life  ; — seek  rather 
for  a  good  and  pious  one ; — for 
, o 


VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  171 

the  witness  of  a  good  conscience 
is  better  than  all  the  treasures  of 
this  world  : — because  the  greater 
thy  riches  on  earth,  the  more  rigo- 
rous the  account  to  be  rendered  in 
heaven. 

2.  Ah  !  how  deceitful  is  the  fa- 
vour of  this  world  !  how  short  its 
glory  !  for  after  the  enjoyment  of 
its  riches,  its  honours,  its  dignities, 
and  its  delights,  come  the  tears  and 
groans,  and  dreadful  punishments 
of  hell,  whence,  alas !  there  is  no 
redemption. 

But  oh  !  how  great  is  the  happi- 
ness of  the  elect !  they  are  with 
God,  with  His  angels  and  saints  ; 
inebriated  with  a  happiness  which 
comprehends  all  joys  and  shall 
never  end. 

Happy  men  and  wise  virgins ! 
oh  !  how  happy  ye  ! — who  have  re- 
nounced all  for  the  love  of  Christ, 
anxiously  endeavouring  to  walk  in 

o o 


O ( 

172  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

the  narrow  path  that  leads  to  the 
eternal  kingdom. 

3.  Learn  then,  faithful  and  de- 
vout servants  of  Jesus  Christ,  that 
during  this  life,  ye  must  watch,  and 
pray,  and  fast,  and  labour,  and  fight 
against  the  divers  temptations  of 
the  fiesh  and  the  spirit. 

The  flesh  must  be  mortified,  lest 
it  rise  and  kist  against  the  spirit ; — 
lest  it  seduce  the  soul  and  prevail- 
ing over  it,  draw  it  down  to  hell. 

To  what  purpose  is  the  body 
pampered  delicately  in  this  world, 
if  when  it  quits  this  passing  life,  it 
must  endure  hell's  fearful  torments. 

And  what  boots  it  to  be  praised 
and  honoured  by  men  here  on 
earth,  and  so  soon  afterwards  to  be 
humbled  and  condemned  to  dwell 
eternally  with  the  spirit  of  dark- 
ness, and  the  impious  sons  of  the 
evil  one  "^ 

To  enjoy  the  reputation  of  a 
O O 


) o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  173 

great  and  learned  man  in  this 
world,  and  not  be  counted  in  the 
number  of  the  elect,  is  a  subject  of 
shame  and  confusion  in  the  eyes  of 
God  and  His  saints  :  but  to  suffer 
for  Christ,  and  to  be  despised  by 
the  wicked  for  His  sake,  is  high 
honour,  praise,  and  glory  supreme 
with  God  and  all  His  saints. 

Hence  the  words  of  consolation 
which  Jesus  Christ  addresses  to 
His  disciples,  and  to  all  who  suffer 
injury  or  distress  for  His  sake  : — 
"  Blessed  are  ye  when  they  shall 
revile  you,  and  persecute  you,  and 
speak  all  that  is  evil  against  you 
for  My  sake  ;  be  glad  and  rejoice, 
for  your  reward  is  very  great  in 
heaven."* 

*  Matt.  V.  11-12 


o — c 

174  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

CHAP.  XV. 

ox  THE  LOVE  OF  RETIREMENT  AND 
HOLY  PERSEVERANCE. 


o- 


"  Stabiles  estate — m  opere  Dom- 
ini semper. ^^^ 

"  Be  ye  steadfast — in  the  work 
of  the  Lord  always.'''' 

1 .  Answer  me,  my  dear  brother, 
what  advantage,  dost  thou  find  to- 
wards thy  sanctification  by  hurrying 
hither  and  thither, — by  hearinjj  and 
seeing  many  and  various  things, 
which  of  a  certainty,  tend  to  ex- 
clude from  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ? 

Blessed  is  he  that  lives  in  retire- 
ment and  recollection,  who  enters 
into  himself,  who  keeps  a  strict 
watch  over  his  heart  and  body,  and 
who  asks  pardon  of  God  with  sighs 

*  1  Cor.  XV.  58. 


( o 

VALLEY  OF   LILIES.  175 

and  tears  for  his  frequent  distrac- 
tions. 

Woe  to  you,  who  so  often  and 
so  heedlessly  mix  in  the  vain  bus- 
tle of  the  world,  who  shun  soli- 
tude, who  waste  unprolitably  a 
portion  of  your  precious  time,  and 
who  thereby  cause  scandal  to 
others. 

Inward  peace  is  laid  up  abun- 
dantly for  him  who  loveth  soli- 
tude ; — who  gives  his  heart  in  se- 
cret to  God, — who  prays  frequent- 
ly,— who  is  employed  in  useful  oc- 
cupations,— who  feeds  his  soul 
with  Sacred  Scriptures  and  other 
holy  studies,  and  meditates  with 
ardent  affection,  on  the  truths  of  sal- 
vation. 

2.  The  idler  an-d  the  babbler  de- 
serve  severe  reproof,  and  their  fel- 
lowship must  be  shunned,  lest  they 
corrupt  the  simple  by  the  frivolity 
of  their   discourse  ;  or,  b\''  the  ir- 

o o 


176  VALLEY  OF   LILIES. 

regularity  of  their  manners,  bring 
trouble  and  scandal  into  the  souls 
of  the  httle  ones. 

Oh  !  brother,  oh !  thou  whose 
heart  is  dissipated  and  fond  of  idle 
jests,  dread  the  pains  of  purgatory  ; 
where,  for  every  act  of  trifling, 
every  idle  word  or  evil  thought, 
thou  must  be  punished  by  bitter 
stripes  from  infernal  tormentors. 

It  is  much  better  then  to  live 
here  in  fear  and  trembling,  in  pen- 
ance and  tears  than  to  share  the 
lot  of  the  reprobate  hereafter,  and 
to  be  tormented  together  with 
them,  by  devils  for  all  eternity. 

There  is  surely  no  joy  nor  mirth 
in  the  fire  of  hell,  whence  none 
can  ever  draw  thee  out. 

3.  He  that  would  reflect  often  on 
these  truths,  and  seriously  meditate 
thereon,  would  soon  conceive  a  dis- 
gust for  all  worldly  vanities,  and 
abhor  all  sensual  desires  :  that  so 


VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  177 

he  miglit  avoid  eternal  punishment, 
and  after  death  obtain  eternal  hap- 
piness. 

But  woe  unto  those  on  earth, 
and  heavier  woe  to  come,  on  those 
who  are  but  lightly  moved  by  the 
thought  of  the  divine  judgments, 
and  by  the  fear  of  sufferings  which 
their  body  has  not  yet  experienced. 


CHAP.  XVI. 

ox   DIVINE    CONSOLATION  IN  TRIB- 
ULATION FOR  Christ's  sake. 


"  In  mundo  pressuram  hahebitis ; 
sed  confidite.  Ego  vici  miiTidum.^^* 

"  In  the  world  you  shall  have  dis- 
tress ;  but  haoe  confidence^  I  have 
overcome  the  world.^^ 

1 ."  It  is  a  comfort  to  have  a  com- 
panion  in  misery,"  saith  the  pro- 

*  Joan.  xvi.  33. 

o o 


o c 

178  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

verb.  But  who  is  that  friend  so 
affectionate  and  so  good,  who 
shares  our  miseries  and  sympa- 
thizes in  our  infirmities  ?  That 
friend  is  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord, 
who  suffered  and  was  crucified  for 
us  ;  and  who,  in  the  gospel,  calls 
Himself  the  physician  and  shep- 
herd of  our  souls,  the  comforter  of 
the  poor,  the  weak  and  the  afflict- 
ed ;  the  physician  of  the  sick,  and 
the  stay  of  those  that  fall : — for 
"  they  that  are  well,"  says  He, 
"  have  no  need  of  a  physician,  but 
they  that  are  sick."*  And  in  like 
manner  David  speaks  of  Him, 
when  he  addresses  these  words  of 
comfort  to  afflicted  souls,  '•  the 
Lord  is  nigh  unto  them  that  are  of 
a  contrite  heart  ;"t  and  in  another 
Psalm,  to  give  confidence  to  his 
servant,  proved  by  temptations  and 
tribulations,     God     himself    says, 

*  Mark  ii.  17.  t  Ps.  xxxiii.  19. 

o o 


o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  179 

•'  I  am  with  him  in  tribulation,  I 
will  deliver  him,  and  I  will  glorify 
him."* 

Truly  there  is  mrch.  comfort  and 
consolation  to  all  tb'it  are  sad  or  af- 
flicted with  many  calamities;  where 
as  Christ  wav  Himself  tempted 
and  afflicted  a'^d  stricken  with 
many  sorro'x^f..  lor  our  sake. 

2.  God,  v/h.o  is  sovereignly  good 
and  jus*  in  ail  His  ways,  would 
not  serd  r.ains  and  tribulations  in 
this  'if':;  ]t  they  were  not  useful 
and  s^Jutary  to  our  souls. 

Js\)i\  who  art  thou,  sinner,  who 
art  ihou,  loaded  with  many  sins  ? — 
who  art  thou  who  wilt  dare,  in  af- 
fliction, to  wince  under  the  hand 
of  Him  who  spared  not  His  own 
:  Son  ? — for  it  is  meet  and  just  that 
the  guilty  and  unprofitable  servant 
should  bear  without  murmuring  the 
light  corrections  which  his  master 

*  Ps.  xc.  15. 

O 


' '■ o 

180  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

inflicts  on  him  ;  since  His  well-be- 
loved Son, — and  He  all  innocence, 
was  wounded  with  so  many  stripes. 

It  is  meet  and  just  that  a  sick 
man,  anxious  to  recover  his  health, 
should  sip  some  drops  from  the 
bitter  chalice,  which  already  his 
physician — who  required  no  such 
remedy — had  drained  before  him, 
to  neutralize  the  mortal  poison,  with 
which,  humanity  had  been  so  deep- 
ly infected,  and  to  cure  perfectly 
and  free  from  eternal  death,  erring 
man,  whom  sin  had  deprived  of  life 
spiritual,  as  well  as  corporal. 

The  heavy  burthen  of  the  ser- 
vant should  be  much  alleviated  by 
the  remembrance  of  the  heavier 
burthen  of  sorrows  that  his  inno- 
cent master  has  borne  ;  and  the 
sick  should  be  much  comforted  in 
his  sufferinns,  when  he  reflects 
that  these,  if  borne  with  resigna- 
tion, shall  serve    to    cleanse    him 


O- 


D ( 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  181 

frum  sins,  and  to  assure  his  hope 
ot  life  eternal. 

3.  It  is,  indeed,  great  and  glori- 
ous for  a  poor  slave  to  be  clothed 
with  the  same  cloth  as  his  master ; 
and  to  wear,  as  son  and  heir,  the 
royal  purple,  that  will  give  a  title 
to  assist  at  the  eternal  spousals  of 
the  Lamb. 

The  cloth  with  which  Jesus  is 
clothed,  is  humility  of  heart,  self- 
denial,  the  privation  of  necessary- 
things,  patience  in  adversity,  and 
perseverance  in  virtue. 

He  that  receives  with  gratitude 
the  chastisements  which  God  in- 
flicts on  him,  finds  in  his  sorrows, 
the  safety  of  his  soul,  and  shall  re- 
ceive in  heaven  a  fairer  crown  of 
glory. 

"  Blessed  is  he  that  understand- 
eth,  concerning  the  needy  and  the 
poor,"*  Jesus,  who  though  richer 

*  Ps.  xl.  1-2. 


-O 


o o 

182  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

than  all,  willed,  for  the  love  of  us, 
to  become  needy  and  poor.  Bles- 
sed is  he,  thac  despising  the  riches 
and  ease  of  this  lite,  walks  wisely 
in  His  footsteps,  and  takes  up  His 
cross  daily  to  the  hour  of  his  death 
for  the  siiidty  of  his  soul. 


CHAP.  XVH. 

ON  WATCHING  OVER  THE  CON- 
SCIENCE, IN    EVERY  PLACE 
AND  AT  ALL   TIMES. 


^^  Anima  mea    in    manibus   meis 
semper^*  / 

"  My  soul  is  continvally  in  my 
hands}' 

1 .  Nothing  is  more  useful  or  more 
salutary  for  one  desirous  of  attain- 

*  Ps.  cxviii.  109. 


-o 


) o 

VALLEY   OF  LILIES.  183 

ing  eternal  life,  than  to  meditate 
continually  on  the  salvation  of  his 
soul. 

Open  every  book  of  piety — run 
through  all  the  treatises  on  the 
spiritual  life,  the  soul  will  find  no 
salvation  but  in  God,  and  in  a  vir- 
tuous life. 

Hence  the  Lord  and  Redeemer 
of  souls  said  to  His  disciples, 
"  What  doth  it  profit  a  man,  if  he 
gain  the  whole  world  and  sulfer  the 
loss  of  his  own  soul  ?"* 

He  that  meditates  often  on  these 
words,  and  who  is  more  seriously 
concerned  for  the  welfare  of  his 
soul  than  for  the  increase  of  his  for- 
tune, or  for  the  entertainment  of 
his  body,  is  a  merchant  truly  wise  ;t 
for  he  prefers  spiritual  riches, 
which  perish  not,  to  the  perishable 
goods  of  earth. 

He   is  one   of  those  good   and 

-  Matt.  xvi.  26.        t  Matt.  xiii.  45. 

1 o 


o o 

184  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

faithful  servants  of  Christ,  who 
makes  his  two  talents  four,  his  five 
ten  :  and  who  on  receiving  only 
one,  instead  of  hiding  it  in  the 
earth,  laying  it  apart,  throwing  it 
away,  or  treating  it  with  contempt, 
distributes  it  to  the  poor,  that  he 
may  have  part  in  their  prayers  ;  or 
offers  it  at  the  akarof  God,  return- 
ing thanks  to  the  Lord,  for  the 
smallest  benefits  received,* 

Blessed  is  the  good  servant  who 
is  faithful  in  a  little,!  who  employs 
every  moment  of  his  life  in  a  use- 
ful manner ;  who  is  not  busied  in 
what  concerns  him  not,  and  who, 
to  please  God,  becomes  like  one 
that  is  deaf  and  dumb.  He  walks 
in  peace  through  the  tumult  of  the 
world,  "having  his  soul  continually 
in  his  hands." 

Take  no  thought  then  of  the  con- 
duct of  thy  neighbour,  but  in  as  far 

*  Matt.  XXV.  14,  \b,et  infra.       t  Luke  xix.  17. 

o o 


o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  185 

as  the  love  of  God  and  charity  may 
require. 

2.  Covet  not  the  praises  of 
men,  for  they  are  vain.  Be  not 
afraid  of  their  reproach;  for,  far 
from  hurting  thy  soul,  humiliations 
purify,  and  make  it  worthy  to  re- 
ceive in  heaven  a  more  brilliant 
crown  ;  and  none  deserve  to  be 
glorified  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven 
who  cannot  endure  reproach  for  the 
love  of  God  on  earth. 

A  meditaYiox  and  prayer. 

Since  then  thou  hast  suffered 
for  the  love  of  me,  O  my  God,  it  is 
but  fitting  that  I  should  suffer  for 
the  love  of  Thee  ;  and  that  I  should 
walk  in  Thy  footsteps  as  far  as  I 
am  able. 

Thou  h^^st  said  to  St.  Peter, 
"  Follow  thou  Me,"*  but  alas  !  how 
little  i;an  I  bear  for  Thee  ! 

*  John.  xxi.  22.  I 

, o 


o ■ o 

186  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

I  make  many  resolutions,  but 
scarcely  one  in  ten,  do  I  execute  : 
my  words  are  many,  but  my  works 
are  few  ;  all  blame  is  mine  ;  there  is 
no  excuse  ;  idleness  and  indiffer- 
ence increase  each  day  the  number 
ofmysins.  What  should  I  think  or 
say  on  these  offences  ?  alas  !  nought 
remains  but  to  entreat  thy  mercy , 
and  to  cry,  "  Lord,  I  have  sinned, 
have  mercy  upon  me." 

Thus  were  led  all  the  saints  that 
have  gone  before  us  ;  such  are  the 
lessons  they  have  left  us  ;  such, 
each  day,  is  still  the  conduct  of  all 
thy  faithful. 

Oh  all  ye  saints  and  friends  of 
God,  pray  for  me  ;  for  I  am  weak 
and  indigent,  and  I  humbly  im- 
plore the  assistance  of  all. 

THE  PRAYER  OF  THE  POOR. 


O  Thou  Holy  of  holies^  O  Lord 
my   God,  incline    Thine  ear  to  the 


•O 


) o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  187 

-prayer  of  Thy  poor  serv^mit ;  "  Help 
me,  and  I  shafl  he  saved,  and  I  will 
meditate  always  on  thy  justifica- 
tions:'* 

Oh  that  ]  may  deserve  to  he  one  of 
the  least  of  Thy  servants,  in  the 
kingdom  which  Thou  hast  prepared 
for  those  who  are  humhle  and  who 
love  Thee. 

I  will  love  Thee  then,  0  Lord,  my 
strength,  with  all  my  heart,  as  Thov 
thyself,  hast  commanded  by  Thy  sa- 
cred mouth. 

Thou  art  my  hope,  and  my  sal- 
vation, and  my  desire  is  ever  to- 
wards Thee. 

Keep  me  from  all  error,  hy  a  clear 
understanding  ; — from  all  impurity 
by  a  clean  heart  ; — from  all  kind  of 
doubt,  hy  a  right  faith  ; — from  all 
distrust,  by  a  steadfast  hope  ; — from 
all  disgust  and  negligence,  by  an  ar- 
dent charity  ; — from  all  disquietude 
*  Ps.  cxviii.  117. 

) C) 


O Q 

188  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

by  invincible  patience  ; — -from  all 
unclean  thoughts  by  holy  medita- 
tion ; — from  the  attacks  of  the  devil, 
by  continual  prayer  ; — from  fre- 
quent distractions,  by  a  sustained 
attention  in  reading  ; — from  list- 
lessTiess  and  drowsiness,  by  useful 
occupation, — and  from  thinking  of 
satisfying  my  vices,  bij  the  remem- 
brance of  thy  holy  passion.  Come 
with  all  these  graces,  O  Lord,  and 
confirm  me  in  all  Thy  holy  words. 
Amen 


o o 


VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  189 

CHAP.    XVIII. 
OX   SOLITUDE  AND   SILENCE. 


"  Ecce  elnncravi  fugiens,  et  mansi 
in  solitudine."* 

"  Lo,  I  have  gone  far  f>ff,  fiying 
away,  and  I  abode  in  the  wilderness.'^ 

1 .  And  Avhy  ? — because  of  the 
numerous  advantages  which  will 
come  to  my  soul  in  so  doing ;  as 
well  as  to  guard  and  restrain  my 
heart  from  the  various  distractions 
with  which  the  world  allures  the 
senses. 

What  the  eye  has  not  seen,  or 
the  ear  has  not  heard,  can  neither 
excite  our  regret,  nor  trouble  the 
peace  of  our  soul. 

Solitude    and  silence   therefore 

♦  Ps.  liv.  8. 

) o 


o o 

190  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

are  profitable  to  inward  peace,  and 
dispose  us  for  the  gift  of  fervent 
prayer  ;  and  it  is  much  more  easy 
to  find  solitude  and  silence  in  the 
retirement  of  the  closet,  than  in  the 
tumult  of  the  world. 

As  the  fish  soon  dies  when  ta- 
ken out  of  the  water,  so  a  pious 
man,  who  allows  himself  to  be 
carried  away  by  the  world,  speedi- 
ly yields  to  distraction  and  becomes 
sullied  in  soul. 

The  wise  bee  abandons  the 
flower  as  soon  as  it  has  gathered 
the  honey,  and  returns  with  joy  to 
deposit  in  its  hive,  the  provisions 
that  are  to  nourish  it  in  the  dearth 
of  winter ;  wherefore  it  lays  up 
carefully  in  its  cell  the  treasure  of 
its  sweetness,  before  it  resumes  its 
airy  course,  lest  it  lose  the  fruit  of 
its  labours.  For  precious  per- 
fumes become  more  sweet  by  be- 
ing put  in  a  close  vessel,  but  lose, 
O ( 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  191 

in  a  little  time,  all  their  virtue 
when  exposed  to  the  open  air. 

Flov/ers  in  like  manner,  long 
preserve  their  beauty  in  the  enclo- 
sure of  a  garden,  whose  walls  pro- 
tect them,  but  quickly  fade  when 
gathered  by  the  hand  of  man. 

Roses  bloom  freshly  in  the  shel- 
tered inclosure  ;  but  wither  in  the 
public  way,  and  are  trodden  under 
foot. 

2.  So  does  the  pious  and  relig- 
ious man  lose  the  sweetness  of  de- 
votion, when  lightness  or  incon- 
stancy often  leads  him  into  the  tu- 
mult of  the  world ;  but  he  that 
flies  from  its  distraction,  sheds 
abroad  from  his  retreat  the  sweet 
odour  of  sanctity. 

Exposed  to  the  wind  the  taper 
is  extinguished, — enclosed  in  a 
lanthorn  it  continues  to  burn  ;  so 
is  it  with  devotion  ;  it  is  preserved 
most  securely  in  the  secret  cham- 


-C 


O 0 

192  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

ber,  but  is  soon  dissipated  if  ex- 
posed to  the  agitation  of  worldly 
business. 

Love,  then,  solilude  and  silence, 
if  thou  wouldst  enjoy  devotion  and 
peace  of  heart ;  for  he  that  would 
move  among  men  unhurt,  must,  in- 
deed, be  well  covered  in  armour  of 
a  celestial  kind, — unshaken  faith, 
well  grounded  hope,  and  ardent 
charity. 

Like  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary, 
who  dwelt  alone  in  her  chamber, 
entertaining  her  soul  with  the  holy 
angel,  whom  God  had  sent  to  her 
from  Heaven  ;  may  the  love  of  de- 
votion keep  thee  in  solitude  and  in. 
thy  closet,  that  to  thee  also  may 
come  the  holy  angel,  the  messen- 
ger of  heaven,  and  faithful  guar- 
dian of  thy  soul,  and  that  thou 
mayest  keep  off  the  evil  one,  and 
all  his  illusions. 

A  devout  lover  of  silence  hath 
O ^O 


o 

VALLEY  OF   LILIES.  193 

said,  "  It  is  seldom,  after  much  oon- 
versation  with  men,  that  my  con- 
science has  not  something  to  re- 
proach me  with  : — and  another, 
•'  Our  words  should  be  very  edify- 
ing, to  be  preferred  before  silence  :" 
— and  a  third,  "  That  a  word  is  in- 
deed good  when  spoken  in  sea- 
son :" — lastly,  a  fourth  adds,  *'  He 
that  keepeth  his  mouth  closed, 
shall  not  be  guilty  of  detraction  or 
lying." 

3.  With  what  esteem  and  plea- 
sure does  not  one  listen  to  the  dis» 
course  of  a  man  who  permits  noth- 
ing bad,  nothing  vain,  nothing  de- 
ceitful, nothing  false  to  pass  his  lips. 

Many  speak  much,  and  of  many 
things  ;  but  never  without  peril,  for 
the  tongue  is  naturally  prone  to  evil. 
He  that  cleaves  to  solitude,  watch- 
es over  his  tonsue,  and  prays  fre- 
quently, shall  find  much  peace. 

Esteem  the  o^ood  man  who  prac- 

0 — o 


O ( 

194  VALLEY  OF    LILIES. 

tises  virtue  in  silence  ;  rebuke  the 
babbler  who  gives  himself  up  to  idle 
words ;  but  avoid  the  craltv  dissem- 
bler. 

Fly  from  the  tumult  of  the  world  ; 
love  a  silent  and  retired  life:  imi- 
tate the  humble  and  devout ;  bear 
patiently  with  those  that  molest  thee, 
for  the  sake  of  Christ  crucified. 

4.  A  novice  once  asked  an  aged 
brother  which  rule  or  statute  in  the 
Ordinal  was  the  most  sure  means 
of  attaining  true  peace  and  devotion, 
the  old  man  gave  him  this  remark- 
able answer  :  "  Keep  the  silence 
enjoined  by  thy  fathers,  avoid  the 
tumult  of  men,  and  shun  idleness." 

There  are  three  things  indispen- 
sable in.  a  religious  life,  and  are 
moreover  most  pleasing  to  God  and 
His  angels  : — 

1st.  Manual  labour,  to  overcome 
sloth  : — 2nd.  The  study  and  read- 
ing of  holy  books,  to  ])revent  dis- 
O 1 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  195 

relish  and  weariness  of  heart : — 
3rd.  The  continual  use  of  prayer, 
to  counteract  the  stratagems  of  the 
devil. 

The  ancient  fathers  of  a  spirit- 
ual life,  taught,  and  the  modern 
ones  repeat  ^^\er  them,  that  silence 
and  prayer  draw  down  benedic- 
tions from  God,  give  to  the  soul 
profound  light,  and  dispose  it  to 
meditate  with  much  fruit  on  the 
highest  mysteries. 

But  he  that  lives  in  dissipation 
and  distraction  of  mind,  and  who 
fosters  idleness  by  frivolous  dis- 
course, makes  himself  unworthy  of 
the  heavenly  gifts  and  becomes  a 
trouble  to  his  brethren. 

The  vain  man  cannot  long  keep 
silence,  for  he  wishes  to  pass  for 
wise,  and  to  be  praised  above 
others. 

He  that  talks  presumptuously  is 
deservedly  blamed  by  many  ;  but 
O O 


cy o 

196  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

he  that  keeps  a  modest  silence  ob- 
tains the  esteem  of  all. 

He  that  despises  himself,  and 
who  thinks  others  better  than  him- 
self, shows  great  humility  of  heart ; 
but  great  is  the  pride  of  him  who 
is  self-sufficient,  who  persists  in 
his  own  opinion  contrary  to  the 
will  of  God,  and  in  opposition  to  all 
his  brethren. 

This  vice  is  the  most  dangerous 
leprosy  of  all ;  what  God  abhors  and 
often  strikes  with  sudden  death. 

He  that  is  simple  and  innocent, 
and  submits  humbly  to  authority, 
shall  be  always  in  joy,  and  nothing 
shall  shake  his  security. 

Be  sparing  in  words  ;  avoid  friv- 
olous conversation  ;  speak  nothing 
but  what  is  profitable  ;  do  all  things 
with  modesty  ;  so  shall  thy  praise 
be  great  among  thy  brethren. 

"  Be  moderate  in  all  things — 
moderation  is  the  fairest  of  vir- 
O O 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  197 

tues,"*  and  so  Christhimself  teach- 
es us  :  "  Have  salt  in  you,  and 
peace  among  you."t 

And  the  apostle  St.  Paul :  "  Let 
your  speech  be  always  in  grace, 
seasoned  with  sah."| 

And  holy  Job,  when  he  says, 
"  Can  an  unsavoury  thing  be  eaten 
that  is  not  seasoned  with  salt."-^ 

5.  The  chaste  and  modest  man 
sets  a  continual  watch  over  his 
mouth  and  heart,  and  all  his  affec- 
tions, that  naturally  incline  to  evil, 
lest  he  fiill  into  sin,  and  offend  God, 
or  his  neighbour  :  but  there  is  no 
compunction  in  the  heart  of  him 
who  takes  pleasure  in  listening  to 
idle  tales,  and  repeating  them  to 
others. 

He  that  guards  not  his  heart  and 
sets  not  a  watch  at  the  gate  of  his 
lips,    shall   lose    in   a   very   little 

*  Cato.  t  Mark  ix.  49. 

t  Coloss.  iv.  6.  ()  Job  vi  6. 


o c 

198  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

while  the  grace  of  compunction ; 
and  a  religious  man,  fond  of  talk- 
ing, soon  passes  the  bounds  of 
moderate  conversation. 

If  thou  hadst  the  crucified  Je- 
sus in  thy  heart,  thy  mouth  would 
not  lend  itself  so  easily  to  vain  and 
idle  conversation  ;  but  since  thou 
hast  not  Jesus  steadfast  in  thy  heart, 
thou  seekest  abroad  for  consolations, 
weak  and  illusory,  and  but  ill-adapt- 
ed to  calm  the  afflictions  of  that 
heart ;  for  Jesus  alone  can  afford  it 
true  consolation,  and  heal  the 
wounds  which  sin  has  made. 

In  a  little  moment,  with  one 
word.  He  can  assuage  all  thy  infir- 
mities ;  for  the  grace  of  God  is 
more  powerful  for  good,  than  the 
influence  of  the  evil  one  is  sugges- 
tive of  evil. 

Why  dost  thou  lend  thy  ears  to 
the  vain  rumours  of  the  world  ; 
which  so  often  trouble  and  distract 
O O 


VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  199 

the  heart  ?  Why  dost  thon  refuse 
to  listen  to  the  sweet  instructions 
of  Christ,  who  day  and  night  of- 
fers thee  consolation  and  strength 
aoainst  all  tribulations. 


CHAP.  XIX. 

ox  THE  REFUGE    OF    THE    POOR,  IN 
GOD  THEIR   HELPER. 


"  Tihi  derelict  US  est  pauper,  or- 
phann  tu  eris  adjutor."* 

"  To  Thee  is  the  poor  man  left. 
Thou  wilt  be  a  helper  to  the  orphan.''^ 

I .  Blessed  is  the  poor  who  has 
God  for  his  help  and  support  in 
tribulation  ;  and  for  his  comforter  in 
suffering  ;  who  puts  all  his  hope 
and  trust  in  God,  and  in  his  last 


Ps.  ix.  3f). 


-O 


O ' 

200  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

hour  awaits  from  Him  the  crown 
of  glory  in  the  kingdom  of  eternal 
bliss. 

Voluntary  poverty,  assumed  for 
the  love  of  Christ,  is  a  precious 
virtue  in  the  sight  of  God : — the 
everlasting  recompense  is  in  heav- 
en, under  the  ward  of  the  angels  ; 
thieves  cannot  steal  it,  nor  the  vio- 
lent bear  it  away ;  nor  can  the 
murderer  make  it  his  prey. 

By  renouncing  all  the  pleasures 
and  gratifications  of  the  world,  the 
servant  of  Christ  dwells  beyond 
the  circle  of  the  dangers  and  cares 
which  ever  surround  the  rich  on 
earth. 

The  faithful  soul,  who  for  the 
love  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  for  his 
kingdom's  sake,  despoils  himself 
of  everything  in  this  world,  enjoys 
true  liberty,  and  possesses  all  things 
in  Jesus  ;  who  for  the  love  of  us 
became  poor,  and  submitted  to  suf- 
O O 


c o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  201 

fering ;  who  was  hung  naked  on 
the  cross,  and  had  not  where  to 
hiy  his  head,  nor  power  to  move 
his  hands  or  feet. 

Who  amongst  us  can  compare 
our  nakedness  or  poverty  with 
HisT — assuredly  no  one;  where- 
fore, "  His  name  alone  is  exaUed, 
the  praise  of  Him  is  above  heaven 
and  earth."* 

Oh  *  salutary  poverty,  thou  now- 
a-days  wouldst  meet  nothing  but 
contempt  among  men,  unless  God 
had  been  the  first  to  submit  volun- 
tarily to  thy  privations  ! 

Ob  happy  poverty,  —  debarring 
us  from  the  pride  of  the  eyes,  and 
the  occasion  of  many  sins  ! 

2.  He  is  truly  poor  in  spirit,  who 
neither  from  word  nor  deed  draws 
forth  vamty,  and  who  lest  he  fall 
thereby,  covets  not  the  honours  of 
the  world, 

*  Ps.  cxlviii.  13. 


; -O 

202  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

O  what  an  excellent  virtue  is 
voluntary  poverty,  retaining  noth- 
ing to  call  its  own  !  It  opens  to  the 
soul  the  gates  of  heaven,  it  adds 
new  jewels  to  the  crown  of  glory, 
that  is  laid  up  in  heaven  ;  it  makes 
us  worthy  to  receive  with  the  mar- 
tyrs the  palm  of  patience,  after  the 
hardships  and  suflerings  of  life, 
spent  in  the  service  of  Christ. 

For  this  is  truly  and  faithfully  to 
labour  in  the  service  of  God,  when 
for  His  love,  we  bear  with  want 
and  all  the  inconveniences  which 
follow  poverty. 

Blessed  is  he  who  learns  how 
to  profit  by  his  wants  and  infirmi- 
ties, and  who  in  all  the  privations 
he  endures,  is  still  submissive  to 
the  will  of  God. 

Let  not  poverty  afflict  thy  heart 
when  thou  sufTerest  want. — If  men 
mock  thee,  or  friends  desert  thee, 
give  not  way  to  wrath — but  turn 
) O 


) o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  203 

thy  heart  to  Jesus,  who  became 
poor  and  weak  for  thy  sake.  Take 
comfort  in  God — in  God  alone, — if 
thou  wouldst  have  thy  soul  rejoice 
forever; — for  all  consolations  out  of 
Him,  how  great  soever  they  seem, 
are  vain,  transient,  and  insufficient. 

3.  Choose  then  Je-sus  Christ  for 
thy  only  friend  and  brother :  re- 
nounce all  to  follow  Him. 

Avoid  above  all  the  fellowship 
of  those  who  would  turn  thee  from 
His  holy  service  ;  and  who  by  lead- 
ing thee  again  into  the  world,  may 
lead  thee  to  the  gates  of  hell.  *'  For 
wide  is  the  gate,  and  broad  is  the 
way  that  leadeth  to  destruction," 
saith  Jesus  Christ,  "and  many  there 
are,  who  go  in  thereat."* 

From  Him  only  canst  thou  find 
the  consolation  required;  from  Him 
who  is  able  to  give  the  kingdom 
of  heaven  to  those    who   for   His 

*  Matt.  vii.  13. 


O 0 

204  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

sake,  renounce  the  kingdom  of 
this  world,  and  all  its  vanities ; 
"for  the  world  passes  away,  and 
the  concupiscenc-e  thereof,"*  like 
smoke  driven  by  the  wind,  and 
like  the  flowers  of  the  field  that 
wither  away. 

Do  thou  then,  my  brother,  who 
hast  submitted  to  voluntary  poverty, 
go  on  courageously  in  thy  holy  en- 
terprise ;  be  constant  day  and  night 
in  the  service  of  God,  in  the  peace- 
ful abode  thy  piety  has  made 
choice  of.  Remember  that  thou 
hast  spontaneously  forsaken  thy 
parents  and  thy  friends,  to  unite 
thyself  wholly  to  God  ;  that  *thou 
mayest  one  day  find  them  again,  in 
the  kingdom  of  Christ,  and  rejoice 
with  them  in  the  company  of  all  the 
saints. 

Thy  light  afflictions  and  transi- 
tory sorrows  pere  on   earth,  shall 

*  1  John  ii.  17. 

O ' o 


o 

VALLEY  OF   LILIES.  205 

be  recompensed  in  heaven  by  the 
joy  of  eternal  rest. 

Reflect  often  on  the  sacred 
wounds  of  Christ  ;  think  of  the 
grievous  sores  of  the  poor  Laza- 
rus ;  and  it  shall  profit  much  du- 
ring thy  last  agony,  when  at  the 
point  of  death  thou  art  about  to 
pass  from  time  to  eternity. 


CHAP.  XX. 

ox   THE   POOR    AND    SICK   LAZARUS. 


v-/ 


"  Ego  sum  pauper  et  dolens, 
Deus  adjuva  we."* 

^'  I  om  poor  and  sorrowful,  let 
thy  salvation,  0  God,  set  me  ■up.'''' 

1 .  This  is  the  prayer  of  one  who 
is  poor  and  in  suffering,  whose  sighs 
continually  ascend  to  Heaven. 

*  Ps.  Lvviii.  30. 


O ( 

206  VALLEY  OF    LILIES. 

Ye  sufferino-  poor,  bear  patiently, 
yet  a  little  while,  your  sorrows  and 
privations,  whether  of  food  or  rai- 
ment ;  you  shall  not  have  long  to 
wait  the  hour  of  your  deliver- 
ance. 

Give  thanks  to  God,  for  it  is  bet- 
ter to  be  afflicted  now  on  earth,  in 
company  with  the  poor  and  the 
sick,  than  to  be  tormented  hereaf- 
ter in  hell  with  the  powerful  and 
the  wealthy. 

Recal  to  mind  thy  past  trans- 
gressions, whether  against  God  or 
thy  neighbour,  and  bear  the  chas- 
tisement which  the  Lord  sends  to 
afflict  thee,  in  remission  of  such 
sins  as  thou  hast  not  fully  repented 
of,  or  for  which  thou  hast  not  made 
ample  satisfaction. 

Comfort  thy  soul  by  the  memo- 
ry of  the  cruel  sorrows  and  sacred 
wounds  of  Jesus  Christ.  Thy  di- 
vine   Saviour    has    endured   more 


-O 


c o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  207 

bitter   stripes   for  thee,  than  thou 
canst  suffer  for  the  love  of  Him. 

Comfort  thy  soul  in  Him,  by  re- 
calling to  thy  memory  how  Laza- 
rus, poor  and  covered  with  sores 
in  this  life,  was,  after  death,  joy- 
ously received  into  Abraham's  bo- 
som ;  and  fear  the  end  of  that  rich 
man,  who  fared  sumptuously,  but 
who,  after  his  feasting,  was  buri- 
ed in  hell,  whence  there  was  no 
departure. 

Make  now  thy  choice  —  thou 
must  either  endure  for  a  short 
while  the  pains  and  privations  of 
Lazarus,  in  his  poverty  and  sick- 
ness for  the  sake  of  joy  eternal  in 
Christ,  or  partake  in  the  dainties  of 
the  rich  man  in  full  health,  which 
may  end  so  shortly  in  sudden  death 
and  instant  burial  in  hell  to  burn 
in  tire  for  ever  with  the  devil  and 
his  angels.  Few  words  are  need- 
ed by  him  that  is  wise. 
O O 


o o 

208  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

2.  Blessed  is  he  tluit  under- 
stands and  purifies  his  heart  from 
all  depraved  allectioiis,  while  yet 
in  his  power  ;  lest  he  be  condemn- 
ed to  endure  the  horrible  punish- 
ments which  await  the  impenitent 
sinner. 

For  he  on  whom  holy  instruc- 
tions make  no  impression,  or  awa- 
ken no  sentiment  of  penance,  shall 
be  given  over  one  day  to  cruel 
torments,  which  he  shall  be  con- 
strained to  endure  fruitlessly  and 
without  hope  for  all  elernity. 

Lazarus,  poor  and  afflicted  in  this 
life,  was,  after  death,  delivered 
from  these  punishments,  and  was 
borne  by  holy  anc{els  in  joy  and 
triumph  to  Abraham's  bosom. 

Remark  also  even  in  the  life  time 
of  poor  Lazarus,  the  multiplied  con- 
solations which  the  merciful  good- 
ness of  the  Lord  offers  him  in  his 
misery. 
O O 


G O 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  209 

We  have  never  heard  that  he 
was  visited  by  rich  friends  to  com- 
fort him  in  his  misery  ; — that  he 
had  servants  to  wait  his  orders  ; — 
that  he  was  surrounded  by  anxious 
brethren  : — but  Jesus  tells  us,  that 
the  dogs  came  and  licked  his 
sores  !*  these  were  all  that  came  to 
him  in  his  misery !  no  consola- 
tions from  man,  dogs  only  minister- 
ing to  him  !  Can  any  misery  be 
worse  than  this  ?  Yet  no  murmur- 
ing or  impatient  word  fell  from  his 
lips,  but  rather  thanksgiving  and 
praise  : — he  that  was  refused  com- 
fort from  the  instrumentality  of 
man,  received  it  meekly  from  the 
sensibility  of  beasts. 

Thou  then,  weak  and  suffering 
brother,  murmur  not,  if,  even  for  a 
season,  thou  inayest  be  deprived  of 
human  consolation,  or  if  the  goad 
of  thy  infirmities   press  yet  more 

*  Luke  xvi.  22. 

) o 


o ( 

210  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

heavily.  Remember  that  the  di- 
vine mercy  so  disposes  it,  in  order 
that — "  Cut  and  burned  in  this 
world,  thou  mayest  not  be  lost  in 
the  next." 

Lazarus,  perhaps,  was  not  guilty 
in  the  sight  of  God,  but  of  very 
slight  faults  ;  while  thou  hast  often 
and  very  grievously  offended  Him. 

Bear  then  thy  infirmities  with 
patience  ;  and  if  sometimes  the  con- 
solations of  man  be  withheld,  re- 
joice, nevertheless,  that,  with  Laz- 
arus, thou  mayest  thereby  be  wor 
thy  to  enter  the  gates  of  the  hcav 
enly  kingdom. 


O O 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  211 

CHAP.  XXI 

ON  THE  CLEAR  UNDERSTANDING 
OF  THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 


"  Declaratio  sermonxim  tuornm  il- 
luminaty  ct  iiUellectum  dat  par- 
vulis."* 

"  The  declaration  of  thy  words 
giveth  light ^  and  bestoweth  under- 
standing on  little  ones.''^ 

1.  All  that  is  written  in  the  Old 
and  New  Testarpents,  has  been 
written  for  our  instruction,  and 
with  the  design  of  bringing  us  to 
serve  God  faithfully,  to  inspire  in 
us  a  horror  of  what  is  evil,  and  a 
love,  boundless,  pure,  and  entire, 
both  in  this  world,  and  in  that 
which  is  to  come,  for  Him  who  is 
our  sovereign  good. 

*  Ps.  cxviii.  130. 


-o 


o — ^ o 

212  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

Ask  humbly  for  a  knowledge  of 
what  thou  art  ignorant  of,  and  ask 
respectfully  from  those  who  are 
better  instructed  than  thyself,  for 
the  right  understanding  of  what 
thou  dost  not  comprehend.  "  For 
the  declaration  of  the  words  of 
God  giveth  light  to  the  hearts  of 
the  little  ones." 

If  thou  art  not  capable  of  rising 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  most  sub- 
lime truths,  learn  with  "  the  little 
ones,"  to  know  such  as  are  small ; 
it  is  of  such  that  our  Lord  Jesus 
hath  said,  "  Su^er  the  little  chil- 
dren to  come  to  me,  for  the  king- 
dom of  heaven  is  for  such."* 

Beware  therefore  of  rashly  sound- 
ing what  is  concealed  from  thy  un- 
derstanding ;  leave  to  the  Holy 
Spirit  the  care  of  discovering  such 
to  thee.  Follow  His  inspirations 
with  a  lively  faith  ;   for   the   Holy 

*  Matt.  xix.  14. 

O ( 


o ■ 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  213 

Spirit  is  the  source  of  all  truth, 
and  He  can  never  bear  testimony  to 
error. 

2.  If  on  some  points,  many  per- 
sons have  doubts,  attribute  them  to 
the  blindness  of  their  spirit,  or  to 
their  ignorance,  and  not  to  the  si- 
lence or  obscurity  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, which  unfold  all  the  needful 
documents  of  eternal  salvation. 

Read  then  with  pleasure  the 
canonical  Scriptures  ;  and  to  this 
reading  be  careful  to  join  the  ex- 
plication of  them  which  the  doc- 
tors of  the  Church  have  given,  and 
thus  study  to  understand  them  well. 

But,  nevertheless,  let  not  thy 
diligence  in  this  study  withdraw 
thee  from  prayer,  or  the  celebra- 
tion, or  the  hearing  of  the  holy 
mass  ;  for  often  during  holy  mass, 
and  in  the  fervour  of  prayer,  God 
communicates  to  devout  souls  many 
hidden  things  which  He  conceals 
0 


o . — . — _, 

214  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

from  those  who  search  curiously, 
and  full  of  self-sufficiency. 

Simple  words  bring  instruction 
to  the  little  ones  and  the  ignorant ; 
Init  subtle  explanations,  which  they 
do  not  understand,  are  vain  and 
profitless. 

Those  that  in  the  refectory,  or 
in  the  choir,  listen  attentively  to  the 
reading,  and  seek  with  prudence 
to  penetrate  the  mystical  sense  of 
the  facts  recited  to  them,  extract, 
from  all  they  hear  or  read,  the 
honey  of  the  word  of  God. 

Whence,  though  during  life,  man 
may  ever  add  something  to  his 
knowledge,  and  discover  every  day 
truths  of  a  higher  order ;  yet  he 
shall  not  attain  to  the  clear  and 
perfect  intelligence  of  the  angels  ; 
nor  shall  he  enjoy  the  beatific  vis- 
ion, till,  by  the  help  of  Christ,  he 
shall  have  entered  into  the  glory  of 
eternal  bliss. 
O O 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  215 

3.  Strong  and  solid  food  is  hurt- 
ful to  little  ones  ;  the  weak  and 
babes  must  be  fed  with  light  and 
delicate  nourishment. 

Simple  music  and  moderate 
songs  sometimes  touch  the  ear 
more  pleasantly  than  the  swell  of 
voices,  which  break  on  the  hearing 
like  peals  of  thunder,  and  fatigue 
rather  than  charm. 

Frequent  flashes  of  lightning  daz- 
zle the  eye ;  while  a  moderate 
light  keeps  the  vision  in  activity. 

The  imprudent  traveller,  who 
would  rashly  swim  across  a  deep 
river,  may  be  drowned  ;  but  he  that 
passes  by  the  bridge,  reaches  the 
other  side  without  fear  of  danger. 

The  lamb  passes  freely  in  a  nar- 
row path  ;  where  the  heavy  bul- 
lock falls,  and  is  caught,  but  to  be 
led  to  the  slaughter. 

So  the  soul  whose  faith  is  sim- 
ple, and  whose   submission  hum- 

; O 


o^ . , 

216  VALLEY  OF   LILIES. 

ble,  findeth  grace  ;  where  the  soul 
full  of  confidence  in  itself,  loses  all 
it  possesses. 

High  knowledge  but  too  easily 
puffeth  up  the  proud  ;  and  turns,  at 
last,  to  the  confusion  of  those  who 
glory  therein, 

4.  I  have  seen  simple  souls 
bathed  in  tears  in  the  fervour  of 
prayer,  while  those  who  sang  with 
a  loud  and  melodious  voice,  felt 
nothing  but  dryness  of  heart.  And 
why  this  difference  ? — because  the 
simple  and  humble  soul,  in  all  it 
says  or  does,  seeks  only  the  glory 
of  God.  The  voice  of  the  simple 
in  heart,  is  with  God  in  heaven  ; 
the  voice  of  the  wandering  and  dis- 
sipated singer,  is  v/ith  men  in  the 
streets  and  public  places. 

He  that  attend^  seriously  to  the 
spiritual  sense  of  the  Psalms,  who 
reads  them  slowly,  or  sings  them 
with    attention,    tastes,    in     abun- 

o c; 


0 ( 

VALLEY  OF.  LILIES.  217 

dance,  the  sweetness  of  devotion. 
For  the  Lord  is  indeed  sweet  to 
such  as  are  right  in  heart,  and  to 
those  who  seek  His  "flory,  and  not 
the  gratification  of  their  own  vanity. 

Blessed  is  the  voice  of  him  that 
sings  and  declares  the  praises  of 
God  in  such  a  manner,  as  to  fill 
the  hearts  of  those  who  hear  him 
with  compunction. 

5.  Before  crowinsf,  the  cock 
plumes  his  wings,  as  if  to  prepare 
himself;  so  should  the  o-ood  chris- 
tian or  the  pious  preacher  correct 
his  own  faults  before  he  undertakes 
to  correct  those  of  others.  He  that 
would  announce  with  prudence  and 
success,  the  word  of  God,  must  be- 
gin by  correcting  in  himself  those 
vices  he  condemns  in  others. 

It  is  thus  that  St.  Paul,  while  in- 
structing others,  humbly  calls  him- 
self the  chief  of  sinners.  "Jesus 
Christ  hath  come  into  this  world  to 

O O 

8a 


o 

218  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

save  sinners,  of  whom  I  am  the 
chief,"*  and  "  who  am  not  worthy 
to  be  called  an  apostle."     And  why, 

0  most  glorious  saint  ? — "  because 

1  persecuted  the  Church  of  God." 
How  then  art  thou  now  become  a 
vessel  of  election,  filled  with  holi- 
ness, and  truly  worthy  of  all 
glory  ?  I  owe  it  not  either  to  my- 
self or  to  men,  but  by  the  vocation 
and  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ,  from 
whom  1  have  learned  to  be  meek 
and  humble  of  heart,  and  to  be  obe- 
dient to  His  gospel.  I  know  of  no 
good  in  myself;  all  that  I  do  or 
teach,  I  attribute  to  Him,  who,  by 
His  grace,  hath  called  me  to  the 
faith  which  I  preach,  and  to  which 
I  shall  be  faithful  unto  death.  For 
only  "  by  the  grace  of  God  I  am 
what  I  am."t  And  His  grace  in 
me  has  not  been  in  vain ;  but  re- 
mains in  me,  and  shall  remain  till 

♦  1  Tim.  i.  15.  1  1  Cor.  xv.  9.  I 

•) o 


VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  219 

I  come  to  Him  who  liath  redeemed 
me  and  saved  me  by  His  precious 
blood. 


CHAP.  XXH, 


ox  THE  GREAT  MERIT  OF  PATIENCE 
FOR  THE   SAKE  OF  CHRIST. 


"  In  patientid  vestra  possidebitis 
animas  vestrasy* 

"  III  your  patience  you  shall  pos- 
sess your  soulsy      * 

1.  When  thou  art  addressed 
harshly,  or  reproved  unjustly,  give 
not  way  to  the  first  emotion  of 
anger  nor  reply  sharply  ;  but  keep 
silence,  or  speak  humbly,  or  suffer 
with  p'atience  like  Jesus  :  lor  when 
they  brought  false  witness  against 

*  Luke  xxi.  19. 


-o 


o ( 

220  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

Him,  He  was  silent,  and  when 
scourged.  He  murmured  not. 

Or  if  it  be  necessary  or  useful 
to  justify  thy  actions,  do  it  gently 
and  with  prudence,  and  in  such  a 
manner  as  Christ  did  :  when  rude- 
ly struck  by  the  servant  of  the 
high  priest,  He  answered  meekly 
and  reasonably  ;  so  shalt  thou  edi- 
fy others  and  be  freed  from  confu- 
sion. 

In  every  circumstance  or  con- 
tradiction of  wicked  tongues,  be 
patient,  and  observe  a  pious  si- 
lence towards  those  who  oppose 
thee. 

2 .  In  the  spiritual  interest  of  thy 
soul,  never  forget  how  precious  a 
virtue  is  patience,  which  adorns 
the  soul  with  all  virtues,  and  leads 
to  the  martyr's  glorious  palm. 

This,  Christ  hath  taught  in  His 
words ;  this,  He  hath  exemplified  in 
His  passion  ; — for  when   He  was 

o o 


0 Q 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  221 

accused  before  the  princes  of  the 
priesthood,  and  the  ancients  of  the 
people,  He  answered  nothing;  put- 
ting in  practice  what  He  before 
taught,  "  Learn  of  me,  because  I 
am  meek  and  humble  of  heart,  and 
you  shall  find  rest  to  your  souls."* 

Thou  canst  not  find  elsewhere 
sure  peace  and  true  rest,  but  in 
God  alone,  in  the  practice  of  sin- 
cere humility,  and  of  a  mild  indul- 
gent patience  which  overcomes  all 
adversaries. 

Put  then  all  thy  hope  in  God, 
and  not  in  any  creature,  great  or 
small,  for  without  God  all  is  but 
vanity  ;  and  with  God  all  is  good. 

*  Matt.  li.  29. 


0 o 


o o 

222  VALLEY  OF  LILIES 

CHAP.  XXIII. 

ON   THE  GOOD   CONVERSATION  OF 
THE   HUMBLE  CHRISTIAN. 


"  Fnge,  dilecte  mi,  fifge.^^'^ 
"  Flee  awn//,  O  my  hclovcciy 

1 .  Why  should  I  flee  away  ? 
Because  of  the  many  danf^ers 
which  surround  thee  in  the  world, 
and  which  fall  on  those  who  con- 
verse therein. 

He  that  would  give  himself  up  to 
the  service  of  God,  must  love  soli- 
tude, prayer,  study,  and  labour ; 
and  so  by  useful  employments,  pre- 
serve his  soul  from  the  perils  of 
vice,  spend  his  lime  with  fruit,  and 
edify  his  ncifjhbour. 

But  he  that  loves  the  world,  and 
willingly  converses  therein,  seldom 

*  Cant.  viii.  1-L 


o- 


) o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  223 

keeps  his  heart,  unspotted,  and  al- 
ways returns  to  his  peaceful  re- 
treat, with  less  devotion  than  when 
he  went  out. 

Pious  and  modest  conversation 
is  pleasing  to  all ;  but  harsh  and 
inconsiderate  words  wound  the 
ears  of  our  friends. 

He  that  loves  virtue,  speaks  the 
truth,  but  he  that  makes  use  of 
lying  speech,  deceives  his  neigh- 
bour, and  renders  himself  odious. 

He  that  is  truly  humble,  seeks 
not  praise  for  the  good  he  has  done ; 
but  refers  to  God  all  the  good  that 
there  is  in  his  actions,  and  attrib- 
utes to  himself  only  what  is  evil. 

The  liar  drives  Christ  from  his 
heart;  and  he  that  would  fathom 
the  mysteries  of  reliii:ion,  confounds 
himself,  and  justly  falls  into  error  : 
but  he  that  speaks  frankly  and 
straight  forward,  is  honoured  and 
loved  by  all. 

) ■ o 


O 1 

224  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

2.  We  are  all  brethren,  created 
by  the  same  God  ;  we  are  all  sin- 
ners, born  of  guilty  parents  ;  but, 
by  the  grace  of  Christ,  we  are 
called  to  the  faith  :  we  are  regen- 
erated by  the  same  baptism  ;  and 
we  are  all  but  one  body  in  Christ. 
Let  no  one,  then,  despise  or  ridi- 
cule, or  oficnd  his  neighbour  in  any 
thing  : — we  ought  rather,  in  con- 
formity to  the  will  of  God,  to  help 
and  instruct  him,  as  far  as  we  are 
able  ;  doing  to  him  as  we  would  be 
done  by,  were  we  in  want. 

He  that  by  words  of  edification, 
confirms  the  weak  in  the  faith, 
feeds  the  sick  with  the  bread  of 
heaven. 

He  that  consoles  the  afllicted, 
gives  a  cup  of  life  to  the  thirsty. 

He  that  calms  the  wrath  of  his 
brother  by  meek  words,  withholds 
a  dog  from  biting,  by  anointing  his 
tongue  with  honey. 

0_^ i O 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  225 

He  that  checks  a  wandering 
tongue,  brings  much  peace  to  his 
devout  brethren. 

He  that  prefers  himself  before 
others,  shows  but  little  judgment, 
and  deserves  confusion. 

He  that  humbles  himself  in  all 
things,  deserves  to  receive  more 
abundant  grace  and  honour. 

By  prayer  the  pious  and  humble 
man  breaks  the  snares  of  the  evil 
one,  and  escapes  ;  while  the  proud, 
led  on  by  vain  glory,  falls  into  his 
toils,  and  perishes. 

From  which  may  the  pious  Je- 
sus ever  preserve  us,  and  conduct 
us  to  the  joys  of  heaven  !     Amen. 


0 o 


o o 

226  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

CHAP.  XXIV. 

ON  PRUDENT  CONVERSATION,  AND 
BROTHERLY  COMPASSION. 

*'  Medice,  cur  a  tcipsum.''''* 
"  Physician,  heal  thy  self ^ 

1 .  Keep  in  mind  these  words, 
before  thou  admonish  or  rebuke  thy 
neighbour  ;  lest  haply,  in  reproving 
him  indiscreetly  or  uniustly,  thou 
commit  a  greater  fault  than  his. 

The  just  and  prudent  man  watches 
his  opportunity,  and  seeks  to  learn 
the  character  and  habits  of  the 
person  to  whom  he  wishes  to  fTive 
advice,  lest  he  drive  away  or  hurt 
him  whom  he  would  correct. 

The  mouth  of  the  wise  and  dis- 
creet man  is  worthy  of  honour,  and 
is  like  a  solid  vessel  enriched  with 

*  LuUe  iv.  23. 

o o 


O ' 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  227 

gold,  failed  with  balm  and  odorifer- 
ous perfumes. 

The  sanctity  of  thy  words,  and 
the  regularity  of  thy  morals,  edify 
those  who  are  attached  to  the  things 
of  this  world, — excite  the  indifferent, 
— rebuke  the  negligent, — bring  the 
wandering  heart  to  compuncti(m, 
—  instruct  the  ignorant,  and  in- 
flame the  fervour  of  the  devout. 
For  the  liA'ely  example  of  good 
men  persuades  more  effectively  to 
contempt  of  the  world,  and  amend- 
ment of  life,  than  the  verbose  elo- 
quence of  worldly  learning. 

2.  It  must  not  be  thought,  that  a 
desire  to  instruct  and  correct  others, 
is  a  proof  of  ability  or  virtue  ;  but 
to  govern  oneself  well,  to  receive 
reproof  with  pious  humility,  and  to 
labour  fervently  in  the  reform  of 
one's  own  heart ; — this  is  great  wis- 
dom both  before  God  and  men. 

liCarn  to  put  a  favourable  inter- 

o o 


O ■ ( 

228  VALLEY  OF    LILIES. 

pretation  on  what  is  doubtfnl  ; — 
never  to  pass  jnflirmont  on  what  is 
unknown  ; — to  avoid  all  open  evil  ; 
to  beware  of  giviiif^  scandal  ; — to 
bear  patiently  with  the  defects  or 
faults  of  thy  brethren  ; — and  to  com- 
mit to  the  mercy  of  God  what  thou 
canst  not  correct. 

Reflect  that  God  has  borne,  and 
still  bears  with  thee  every  day  in  a 
great  many  weaknesses  ;  and  not- 
withstanding thou  dost  not  amend 
them,  though  thou  often  declarest 
thy  intention,  and  that  thou  hast 
the  will  to  do  so.  But  His  mercy 
still  bears  with  and  awaits  thee,  to 
lead  thee  to  penance,  and  to  teach 
thee  thy  own  infirmities,  so  that 
thou  mayest  humbly  sue  for  par- 
don, and  learn  not  to  despise  or 
rashly  condemn  thy  neighbour. 

Be  then  patient  and  merciful  to 
thy  brother  in  few  things,  as   God 
is  to  thee  in  many  things. 
O ( 


VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  229 

The  devout  and  humble  man 
speaks  little,  lest  his  much  speak- 
ing should  be  hurtful  to  internal 
recollection. 

The  proud  man  speaks  harshly, 
and  the  passionate  man  disturbs  the 
soul  of  those  he  corrects  ;  as  he, 
himself,  is  disturbed  when  correct- 
ed. But  the  meek  bears  patiently 
with  those  he  would  correct,  — 
makes  use  of  entreaty  rather  than 
reproach,  —  is  compassionate  for 
their  sins, — and  shows  himself,  in- 
deed, the  friend  of  their  souls. 

He  that  seeks  to  be  first,  expo- 
ses himself  to  many  perils,  and  be- 
comes despicable. 

The  lover  of  vain  glory,  keeps 
not  long  silence,  lest  he  pass  for 
ignorant :  he  is  ashamed  of  mean 
and  servile  employments  ;  he  can- 
not bear  to  put  himself  in  the  last 
place,  or  to  sit  on  the  lowest  seat. 
And  vet  it  is  the  hiohest  honour  to 


O 


■o 


c c 

230  VALLEY   OF  LILIES. 

practice  humility  in  all  things, — to 
place  oneself  beneath  other  men, 
and  voluntarily  to  fulfil  the  office  of 
servant  to  others,  for  the  sake  of 
Christ,  who  has  said,  "I  am  in  the 
midst  of  you,  as  he  that  serveth."* 

Learn  then,  young  man,  to  be  si- 
lent, if  thou  vvouldst  not  be  covered 
with  confusion,  when  speaking  in 
the  presence  of  thy  elders. 

For  it  is  more  profitable  to  be  si- 
lent, than  to  speak  foolishly. 

3.  It  is  a  great  art  to  know  how 
to  receive  correction  in  silence, 
and  much  wisdom  to  speak  mod- 
estly and  in  season  ;  and  to  say 
nothing  before  eidightened  men, but 
what  is  just  and  fit. 

The  fool  knows  not  how  to  ob- 
serve either  time,  or  purpose,  or 
order ;  moreover  he  often  suffers 
much  disquietude  from  the  humili- 
ations   his    own     unadvised     dis- 

*  Luke  xxii.  27. 

o o 


o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  231 

course  has  justly  drawn  upon  him. 

The  presumptuous  young  man, 
who  speaks  inconsiderately,  is  like 
the  fool  that  stands  on  a  precipice. 
If  he  receive  advice  with  docility, 
correction  in  silence  and  com- 
mands with  submission,  there  will 
be  great  hope  that  he  may  make 
much  progress  in  virtue,  and  one 
day  flourish  like  the  lily  of  the  val- 
leys. 

Great  is  the  pride  of  him  who 
persists  in  his  own  designs,  contra- 
ry to  the  will  of  God,  and  who  re- 
fuses submission  to  the  wise  coun- 
i  sels  of  the  aged. 

Since  it  is  difficult  for  man  in  all 
his  words  and  actions  to  keep  al- 
ways within  the  bounds  of  modera- 
tion, and  to  watch  over  his  soul ; 
hence  it  is  that  religious  persons 
love  solitude,  and  seek  retreat  andsi- 
lence,  to  give  themselves  up  to  pray- 
erapart  fromthetumuh  of  the  world. 
O C) 


232  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

CHAP.  XXV. 

ON  THE  UNCERTAIN  HOUR  OF 

DEATH,  AND  THE   SPEEDY 

END  OF  THIS  LIFE. 


"  Vigilate,  quia  nescitis  diem 
neque  hora/nJ^* 

"  Watch  ye,  therefore,  because 
you  know  not  the  day  nor  the  hour^ 

1.  Blessed  is  the  soul  that 
thinks  often  of  the  last  hour,  when 
all  must  be  ended  in  this  life ; — joys 
and  sorrows,  honours  and  re- 
proaches. 

Happy  the  soul  that  is  as  a  poor 
pilgrim  travelling  towards  God  ; — 
which  despises  all  the  pomp  of  this 
world,  howsoever  great  or  alluring. 
For  in  that  last  hour  all  shall  per- 
ish,— castles,  cities,  villages,  ves- 

*  Matt.  XXV.  13. 


o- 


VALLEV  or-  LILIES.  233 

sels  of  gold  and  silver,  all  delicate 
viands,  and  variegated  cups  of  per- 
fumed wines. 

Then  shall  be  mute,  lyre,  trum- 
pet, pipe  and  harp. 

Then  shall  be  no  more  sport  nor 
mirth,  no  more  dance  nor  loud  ap- 
plause, no  more  songs  nor  merry 
laughter,  no  more  the  cry  of  rev- 
elry in  street  or  bower,  for  the 
hearts  of  all  living  shall  wither 
away,  and  the  whole  earth  shall 
tremble  in  the  presence  of  God. 

Oh  how  wise  is  he  who  medi- 
tates daily  on  these  things,  and  who 
prepares,  by  tears,  for  the  enjoy- 
ment of  blessings  to  come,  and  joy 
eternal. 

2.  Blessed  is  he  who  separates 
himself  voluntarily  from  the  many  ; 
snares  and  perils  of  this  world,  and  j 
from  all  that  may  ilaiter  his  sensual 
appetite.  j 

Blessed  is  the  pilgrim   who,  in  I 


234  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

his  exile,  weeps,  and  mourns,  and 
desires  to  be  dissolved,  and  to  be 
with  Christ  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven. 

Blessed  is  the  man  who  hates 
this  world,  and  all  therein  that 
would  allure  him  to  sin  ;  and  who 
flies  like  Elias,  to  some  monastery 
in  the  desert,  from  the  face  of  num- 
berless dangers,  which  often  drag 
down  the  unguarded  soul  to  hell. 

Blessed  is  he  that  watches  day 
and  night  against  temptation,  and 
who  cries  out  with  Elias,  "  It  is 
enough  for  me.  Lord,  take  away 
my  soul  ;"*  for  it  is  better  for  me 
to  die  in  Thy  grace,  and  when  my 
heart  is  full  of  trust  in  Thee,  than 
to  live  in  this  world,  surrounded  by 
so  many  dangers,  a  witness  to  evil ; 
for  so  long  as  the  soul  is  united  to 
the  body,  and  the  body  is  nourished 
with   the    produce   of   earth,   man 

*  3  Rp?.  xix.  4. 

C ( 


^ — . ( 

VALLEV  OF  LILIES.  235 

cannot  be  exempt  from  sin,  nor 
free  from  temptation,  nor  assured 
that  he  may  not  hereafter  fall. 

He  then  is  greatly  deceived,  and 
,  errs  like  a  man  foolish  of  heart, 
who  only  desires  to  live  long  here 
below,  and  to  purpose  to  do  many 
things,  when  he  knows  not  where 
he  shall  be  on  the  morrow. 

3.  Remember,  ye  rich  and  pow- 
erful, surrounded  with  so  many  en- 
joyments and  delights,  what  will 
become  of  you,  when  dead  and 
buried  in  the  earth?  what  will  all 
those  riches  which  you  possess, 
avail  you  ? 

Behold!  to-day  a  king, in  full  en- 
joyment of  life  and  empire,  and  to- 
morrow he  is  found  no  more,  nor 
shall  his  voice  again  be  heard. 

To-day,  he  is  seated  on  a  lofty 

throne,  and    arrayed    in    robes   of 

gold,  and  to-morrow  he  is  laid  in 

the  tomb  and  shall  be  seen  no  more. 

n ' 


O C) 

236  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

To-day  he  is  honoured  hy  many, 
to-morrow  he  is  regarded  by  none. 

To-day  he  is  magnified  by  all,  to- 
morrow is  divested  of  all  his  riches 
and  honours,  and  villas  and  castles. 

To-day  he  is  comely  above  other 
men,  and  numbered  with  kings  ; 
to-morrow  he  is  food  for  worms, 
and  a  stench  in  the  nostrils. 

As  he  came  naked  into  the 
world,  so,  like  a  poor  exile,  shall 
he  be  borne  to  the  grave. 

For  short  is  the  end  of  all  the 
pleasures,  pomps,  and  vanities  of 
this  world,  and  death  and  grief, 
and  mourning  and  fear,  is  the  lot 
of  all. 

His  holiness  the  Pope  dies  ;  the 
Cardinals  die  ;  the  most  powerful 
sovereigns  die ;  and  others  suc- 
ceed, who  in  their  turn  soon  follow 
them  to  the  tomb. 

No  one  can  be  assured  of  life 
for  a  single  day,  nor  obtain  from 

o_ 2 1 . o 


o- 


) o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  237 

the  Pope,  nor  from  all  earthly 
monarchs,  the  privilege  of  not  dy- 
ing ;  nor  procure  a  benefice  or  an 
office,  from  which  he  can  never  be 
ejected. 

It  often  happens  that  after  having 
obtained  favours  and  places,  death 
comes  unexpectedly,  and  takes  all 
away ;  so  that  the  supplicant  re- 
turns from  court,  as  poor  and  naked 
as  when  he  first  went  thither. 

4.  We  read  in  history  of  many 
among  the  patriarchs  and  fathers, 
who  lived  very  long.  "  Such  and 
such  a  one  lived ;"  and  so  of  others ; 
but  at  last  it  is  said  of  all, — "  and 
he  died  :"  for  "  we  all  die,  and  like 
waters  that  return  no  more,  we 
sink  into  the  earth,"*  whence  we 
sprung. 

Vv'hat  is  the  most  protracted  pe- 
riod of  life  but  a  short  moment, — a 
passing  wind, — a  morning  bright- 

*  2  Reg.  xiv.  14. 


O G 

238  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

ness  which  fades  away,  — a  travel- 
ler who  retraces  not  his  steps  ? 

Ijike  a  Hash  of  lightning  which 
disappears  in  the  twinkling  of  an 
eye,  so  shall  ages  disappear  ;  and 
with  them  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth. 

Reckon  the  hours,  the  days,  the 
months,  and  the  years  of  thy  life  ; 
and  tell  me  whither  are  they  all 
gone  ? — they  have  passed  away 
like  a  shadow  ;  they  have  perished 
like  the  spider^s  web, — destroyed 
by  the  first  wind. 

There  is  nothing  lasting,  nothing 
abiding  on  this  earth  ;  of  which  the 
body  of  Adam,  and  of  his  sons  were 
all  fashioned. 

5.  Greatness,  beauty,  pleasures, 
— all  in  the  world,  is  full  of  vanity 
and  frailty. 

Then  let  not  these  attractions  al- 
lure, nor  their  despite  or  depriva- 
tion overwhelm  thee. 

The  fairest  colours  fade  in  death, 

6 ( 


) o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  239 

and  the  richest  ornaments,  decked 
with  gold,  silver,  and  precious 
gems,  in  the  dark  tomb  are  dim  and 
vahieless. 

Therefore  in  all  thy  works, 
whatever  they  may  be,  wherever 
thou  goest,  whithersoever  thou  pro- 
ceedest,  be  mindful  of  the  end  of 
life,  and  of  that  last  hour,  which 
shall  come  when  thou  thinkest  not. 

Blessed  is  he,  who,  with  the 
Apostle  St.  Paul,  "  <lesires  to  be 
dissolved,  and  to  be  with  Christ ; 
a  thing  by  far  the  better  "*  for  us, 
than  to  remain  a  long  time  in  the 
flesh,  on  the  sea  of  this  world,  beat- 
en about  by  storuis,  a  stranger  to 
God,  and  ever  in  fear. 

If  thou  wilt  bear  Jesus  continu- 
ally in  thy  heart ,  if  thou  wilt  love 
Him  sincerely  ;  if  every  day  thou 
wilt  address  thy  prayers  to  Him  ; 
then  mayest  thou  confidently  hope 

*Pliil.  i.  23. 


-C 


O ( 

240  VALLEY   OF   LILIES. 

to  one  day  enter  into  His  kingdom  ; 
for  He  hath  said,  *'  where  I  am, 
there  also  shall  my  minister  be."* 
Blessed  is  the  servant,  who,  at 
his  last  hour,  shall  deserve  to  hear 
those  sweet  words  of  Jesus  Christ, 
"  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  ser- 
vant, because  thou  hast  been  faith- 
ful over  a  few  things,  I  will  place 
thee  over  many  things  ;  enter  thou 
into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 

*  John  xii.  26.  t  Matt  xxv.  21. 


o- 


VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  241 

CHAP.  XXVI. 


OF  THE  ETERXAL  PRAISE  OF  GOD 

AND  THE  DESIRE  OF  ETERXAL 

GLORY. 


"  Lauda,  anima  mea^  DominumP* 

"  Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  souJ,^'' 
-from  whom  comcth  all  good,  both 
now  and  forever  more. 

1.  Thus  oiightest  thou  to  refer 
all  to  Him,  as  to  the  first  begin- 
ning and  last  end  of  all  good. 
Thou  oughtest  to  praise  Him  with 
sentiments  of  inmost  gratitude,  in 
order  that  the  gift  of  His  heavenly 
gTace  may  flow  upon  thee  anew  in 
kirger  streams,  and  with  continued 
increase  ;  until  thou  wilt  have  ar- 
rived at  the  fountain  of  life  eternal, 
to  the  country  of  eternal  charity, 

*  Ps.  cxlv.  2. 

O O 


O ! 

242  VALLEV  OF    LIMES. 

and  to  the  beatific  vision  of  His  di- 
vine presence  and  glory. 

For  thee  there  is  nothing  better 
or  more  sahitary,  more  sweet  or 
agreeable,  more  worthy,  more  ex- 
alted, more  happy,  more  perfect, 
more  blessed,  tlian  to  love  God 
most  ardently,  and  to  praise  Him 
without  measure.  This,  I  would 
tell  thee  a  hundred  times  ; — this  I 
would  repeat  a  thousand  times. 
There  is  no  study  so  elegant,  no 
employment  so  noble,  as  that  of 
loving  and  praising  God,  thy  Crea- 
tor and  Redeen.ier,  with  all  thy 
heart,  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with 
all  thy  strength. 

Do  this  as  long  as  thou  hast 
life,  and  being,  and  intellect ;  let 
this  be  the  oidy  object  of  all  tliy 
discourse,  and  of  all  thy  actions, 
night  and  day,  at  morning,  at  mid- 
day, at  evening,  at  every  hour, 
and  every  instant, 

o o 


VALLEY  OF   LILIES.  243 

2.  Unite  thyself  to  Him  as 
strictly  as  thy  strength  and  knowl- 
edge permit,  wholly  and  entirely ; 
— in  order  that  to  thee,  God  may 
be  all  things,  and  that,  before  all 
and  above  all.  He  may  be  loved, 
blessed,  praised,  and  exahed  by  thee 
for  all  ages,  and  that  thou  mayest 
enjoy  together  with  Him  a  happi- 
ness without  end. 

Exult,  then,  O  faithful  soul,  in 
the  Lord  thy  God,  as  the  blessed 
Virgin  Mary  rejoiced  in  Jesus 
Christ  her  Saviour. 

Exult  and  praise  thy  God,  who 
has  made  and  redeemed  thee,  for 
to  God  thou  art  indebted  for  all 
those  many  and  inestimable  bene- 
fits which  thou  dost  daily  receive 
from  His  merciful  bounty  ;  for  even 
wert  thou  a  holy  angel,  thy  grati- 
tude as  such  would  still  be  in- 
adequate to  His  goodness  and  infi- 
nite "Tandeur. 


-O 


o c 

244  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

Praise  Him  nevertheless,  thank 
Him,  as  a  mortal  man  dependant 
on  His  mercy,  and  ever  seeking 
and  imploring  it  with  tearful  perse- 
verance. 

Cease  not  to  pray  to  Him  and  to 
praise  Him,  and  although  thou 
shouldst  often  unhappily  iall  into 
sin,  and  thereby  ofiend  Him,  de- 
spair not,  but  rather  humble  thy- 
self, and  pray  with  more  fervour. 

Love,  and  thou  shalt  be  loved : 
love  purifies  the  soul  from  all  past 
faults  ;  cleanses  and  cures  all  its 
wounds — enlightens  the  spirit — in- 
flames the  heart — drives  away  sad- 
ness, and  begets  inward  joy  ;  such 
as  the  world  knoweth  not,  and 
flesh  and  blood  can  never  feel. 

Praise  God,  and  thou  shalt  be 
praised  ;  bless  Him,  and  thou  shalt 
be  blessed  ;  sanctify  His  name,  and 
thou  shalt  be  made  holy ;  magnify 
Him  and  thou  shalt  be  made  great ; 
O "- ( 


0 o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  245 

glorify  Him,  and  thou  shall  be  glo- 
rified by  Him  in  soul  as  well  as 
in  body. 

3.  The  Soul. — But  when  shall 
these  things  be  ?  When  wilt  thou 
open  my  mouth,  to  sing  Thy 
praises  for  ever  ?  when  will  my 
heart  and  my  soul  rejoice  together 
with  Thy  saints  in  glory  ? 

The  Lord. — Wait  yet  a  little 
while,  and  when  the  trumpet  shall 
sound,  thou  shalt  see  great  won- 
ders :  then  shall  I  give  to  my 
saints,  in  recompense  of  their 
pains,  and  labours,  rest  and  life 
eternal, — what  wishest  thou  more  ? 

The  Soul. — Absolutely  nothing, 
O  Lord  ;  Thou  alone  art  sufficient 
for  me,  my  God  ;  Thou  who  givest 
life  eternal,  to  those  who  love  and 
praise  Thee  ;  Thou  who  renderest 
goods,  vast,  inestimable,  and  eter- 
nal, for  what  is  valueless  and  per- 
ishable. 

0 ( 


246  VALLEY  or  LILIES. 

The  Lord. — Give  then  thyself  to 
God,  and  all  that  thou  hast ;  give 
Him  all  thy  actions,  all  thy  knowl- 
edge, all  thy  faculties  ;  and  thou 
shalt  be  richer,  and  dearer  to  Him 
than  thou  hast  ever  yet  been. 

Say  with  St.  Paul,  that  "  we  are 
as  having  nothing,  and  posses- 
sing all  things  "  in  God  ;*  poor,  af- 
flictod,  despised,  in  the  eyes  ol 
men,  but  rich  and  "  always  rejoin- 
ing "t  in  the  Lord,  and  sure  of  re- 
ceiving our  reward  in  heaven. J 

4.  The  Soul. — O  Lord  God,  my 
s/lvation,  and  :ny  God  !  when  shall 
I\^y  fOul  enjoy  in  Thy  kingdom  the 
grcV  io'<s  light  of  Thy  countenance  ? 
Oh  !  >vt^.n  wilt  thou  enlighten  all 
the  darkness  of  my  spirit  in  ihe 
splendoui  of  ^^ternal  ligl:^.  ? 

When  'viH  ty>ou  remove  ^rcm  niy 
heart  evcr>y-  cbs»-ac-le  wh'cb  pre- 
vents me  iroip  \:ni'iLc>:  mysolt  inti- 

*•  2  Cor.  vi  10.     +  1  'no^  V.  H,      ;  «?  Tim.  iv.  8, 


o- 


D ( 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  247 

mately  to  Thee.  O  true  peace,  su- 
preme blessedness,  })errect  felicity ! 

O  Lord,  when  shall  I  be  able  to 
follow  Thee,  free  from  all  hin- 
drance and  restraint ;  and  go 
wherever  Thou  shalt  lead  the  way? 

When  shall  I  be  able  with  mine 
eyes  to  see  Thee  clearly,  without  a 
glass,  without  a  riddle,  without  a 
parable,  without  a  figure,  without 
uncertainty,  without  the  doubts, 
and  discussions,  and  questions  of 
the  learned  ? 

When  shall  it  be  given  me  to 
fully  understand  all  these  things 
which  the  Holy  Scriptures  pre- 
sent to  my  belief, — all  these  things 
which  I  have  read  in  various  au- 
thors ; — all  these  things  which  in 
various  places  I  have  heard  from 
learned  instructors  concerning  my 
God,  concerning  the  Angels,  their 
different  choirs,  concerning  the 
glory  and  beatitude  of  the  heaven- 

o-^ o 


o c 

248  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

ly  country,  concernino^  the  peace 
and  joy  ineffable  of  the  celestial 
inhabitants  ! 

When  shall  I  be  there  ?  when 
shall  I  be  able  to  appear  in  Thy 
blessed  presence  ;  to  contemplate 
Thy  radiant  countenance,  and  the 
glory  of  Thy  heavenly  kingdom, 
with  the  cherubim  and  seraphim, 
and  all  the  saints  ? 

But  the  hour  is  not  yet  come  ; 
the  gates  of  heaven  are  yet  closed 
to  me  ;  wherefore,  O  my  God,  my 
heart  is  afflicted  ;  and  my  mouth 
uttereth  groanings,  as  long  as  I 
tarry  here,  and  until  I  come  to 
Thee,  my  God. 


VALLEY  OP   LILIES.  249 

CHAP.  XXVII. 

OF  THE  PRAISES  SUNG  BY  THE  HOLY 
ANGELS  IN  HEAVEN. 


*'  In  conspectu  angelorum  psallam 
iibir* 

"  /  will  sins  to  thee  in  the  sisht 
of  the  angels^ 

\.  0  King  most  High  !  0  Lord 
supreme  !  O  God  worthy  of  all 
praise  !  Creator  of  all  things,  of 
Ano^els  and  of  men  !  how  long  shall 
1  tarry  sojourning  on  earth,  far  re- 
moved from  thee  and  all  thy  holy 
angels  in  heaven  ?  Poor  and 
wretched  creature  as  I  am,  how 
long  shall  I  eat  with  -men  the 
bread  of  toil  and  of  sorrow  'i  How 
long  shall  I  be  deprived  of  the 
bread  of  angels, — that  food  so  ex- 

*  Ps.  cxxxvii.  1. 

O 7. ' 

9a 


o o 

I 
250  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

quisite,  containing  '•  all  that  is  de- 
licious and  the  sweetness  of  every 
taste.*" 

2.  O  Lord,  when  shall  I  hear 
the  sound  of  Thy  praises  sung  by 
Thy  holy  angels  in  heaven  ;  as  the 
blessed  apostle  John  when  in  exile, 
heard  the  voices  of  many  angels 
singing  together, — "  Holy,  Holy, 
Holy  ?"t 

Oh  that  I  were  one  of  that  holy 
company,  and  had  a  voice  like  unto 
theirs  !  Oh  how  willingly  would 
I  praise  Thee  in  company  with 
them;  beyond  the  loudest  Canti- 
cles in  heaven  would  I  sing  thy 
praise  and  magnify  Thy  holy  name 
to  all  eternity ! 

Oh  ye  Cherubim  and  Seraphim, 
how  sweetly,  how  beautifully,  how 
fervently,  how  excellently  ye  sing 
those  joyous  hymns  in  presence  of 
your  God,  without  lassitude,  with- 

*  Wisdom  xvi.  20.  f  Apoc.  iv  8. 

0-- ( 


o- o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  251 

out   fatigue,  without   cessation  in 
eternal  felicity ! 

3.  To  me,  therefore,  all  human 
accent  appears  harsh  ;  ever)-  song, 
uiiharmonious ;  every  psalm  spirit- 
less and  dry ;  every  music  dis- 
agreeable ;  every  instrument  out 
of  tune  ;  every  joy  appears  ex- 
treme sadness  ;  every  laughter, 
mourning  ;  every  kind  of  meat  and 
drink,  insipid  and  tasteless ;  all 
flesh,  so  much  grass  ;  all  wine,  gall 
and  vinegar  ;  all  honey,  poison  ; 
every  thing  pleasant,  disagreeable  ; 
all  beauty,  an  object  of  disgust  ; 
every  ornament,  so  much  deform- 
ity ;  all  honour  and  glory,  smoke 
and  vanity  ;  everything  precious 
and  valuable,  contemptible  and  dis- 
gusting ; — in  one  word,  all  things 
appear  as  nothing  in  comparison 
with  life  eternal,  glory  without  end, 
and  never  ceasing  joy  in  the  pre- 
sence of  God  and  His  angels  ;  who 
O O 


O 0 

252  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

day  and  night  for  ever  sing  in  high- 
est note,  the  praises  of  the  holy  and 
the  glorious  Trinity. 

4.  Since  then  I  am  unable  to  soar 
aloft  to  these  sublime  and  heavenly 
canticles,  or  fully  to  comprehend 
them,  I  bewail  my  sad  fate,  and  de- 
spise myself  before  God  and  men, 
— bending  my  knees  and  humbly 
asking  pardon  : — for  in  truth  all  my 
works  are  nothing,  O  I^ord,  with- 
out Thy  grace  and  Thy  mercy, 
which  in  so  great  bounty.  Thou 
dost  display  in  all  Thy  creatures 
without  limit  of  number  or  meas- 
ure. '•  O  the  depth  of  the  riches  of 
the  wisdom  and  of  the  knowledge 
of  God  !"*  how  profound  and  how 
just  are  Thy  judgments  from  age 
to  age,  upon  the  good  and  the  bad, 
— the  grateful  and  the  ungrateful, 
— upon  the  pious  and  the  impious  : 
so  that  no  one   can    fathom   Thy 

*  Rom.  xi.  23. 

o o 


) o 

VALLEY   OF   LILIES.  253 

words  ;  no  one  can  with  justice, 
complain  of  events  that  happen  un- 
expectedly in  the  course  of  human 
affairs.  Wherefore  be  Thou  ever 
blessed.  0  my  God  ! 


CHAP.  XXVIII. 

A  PRAYER  OF  THE  DEVOUT  LOVER 
OF  GOD. 


"  Dirigatnr,  Domine,  oratio  mea, 
stent  incensum  in  conspcctu  tico."* 

"  Let  my  'prayer  he  directed  as  in- 
cense in  thy  sight!''' 

1.  I  desire,  0  Lord  my  God,  in 
every  place  and  at  all  times,  to  join 
Thy  saints,  and  all  Thy  creatures, 
in  devoutly  praisinfj  and  blessing 
Thee  ; — in  publishing  Thine  infi- 

*  Ps.  cxL  2. 

o o 


o o 

254  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

nite  perfections  ; — in  loving  Thee 
perfectly  ;  —  in  glorifying  Thee 
without  ceasing,  and  in  exalting 
the  greatness  and  glory  of  Thy 
holy  name  for  ever ;  for  Thou,  O 
Lord,  Thou  art  my  God,  and  I  am 
Thy  poor  servant. 

For  thou  art  my  light  and  my 
hope,  O  my  God  !  Thou  art  my 
strength  and  my  patience,  my 
praise  and  my  glory,  O  my  God  ! 

Thou  art  my  wisdom,  my  pru- 
dence, my  beauty,  and  all  my 
sweetness,  O  my  God  ! 

Thou  art  my  music  and  harp, 
my  organ  and  timbrel,  O  my  God  ! 

Thou  art  the  psalm  that  brings 
gladness  to  my  heart,  my  hymn, 
my  canticle,  and  my  song  of  joy, 
O  my  God  ! 

Thou  art  my  casque  and  breast- 
plate, my  bow  and  my  sword,  0 
my  God ! 

2.  Thou  art  my  treasure,  my 
O ' O 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  255 

gold  and  silver;  and  the  talent 
with  which  I  am  to  pay  all  my 
debts,  0  my  God  I 

Thou  art  my  dwelling-place,  my 
fortress,  and  my  palace,  O  my 
God! 

Thou  art  my  shield  and  banner, 
my  tower  of  strength,  and  the  de- 
fence of  my  life,  0  my  God  ! 

Thou  art  my  garden  and  or- 
chard, my  bower  of  green,  and 
cool  retreat,  O  my  God ! 

Thou  art  ray  refectory  and  table, 
my  meat  and  my  drink,  O  my 
God  !  for  all  food  not  prepared  and 
seasoned  by  thee,  seems  to  me 
stale  and  flat,  O  my  God ! 

Thou  art  my  aromatical  plant, 
and  balsam  of  sweetness,  my  spike- 
nard and  choice  myrrh,  and  most 
precious  ointment,  O  my  God ! 

Thou  art  my  rose  and  lily,  my 
wreath  and  garland,  0  my  God  ! 

Thou  art  my  dormitory,  and  mv 


y 


ii 


o o 

256  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

bed,  my  napkin  and  covering  art 
thou,  O  my  God  ! 

3.  Thou  art  my  light  and  my 
lamp, — my  lustre  and  star  that  en- 
lightens me,  O  my  God  ! 

Thou  art  my  book  written  with- 
in and  without ;  my  Bible,  in 
which  all  the  Holy  Scripture  is 
contained,  and  the  teacher  who 
gives  to  me  understanding,  0  my 
God! 

Thou  art  my  kind  instructor, 
and  skilful  physician,  kindly  ad- 
ministering the  remedies  requisite 
for  mv  spiritual  welfare,  0  my 
God!"' 

For  in  Thee  I  find  all  things, 
and  all  that  I  have  is  through  Thy 
mercy  and  goodness ;  and  I  feel 
that  all  that  I  seek,  or  all  that  I  de- 
sire out  of  Thee,  is  of  little  or  no 
profit  to  my  soul. 

Open  then  my  heart  to  Thy  holy 
law  ;  "  restore  unto  me  the  joy  of 
O O 


o- o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  257 

Thy  salvation  ;"*  enlarge  my  heart 
that  I  may  run  in  Thy  ways  ;  con- 
firm me  hy  Thy  words,  for  Thou 
alone  canst  help  me,  and  lead  me 
to  eternal  life. 

O  Lord,  my  God,  hear  the  vows 
I  address  to  Thee,  in  joy,  in  tribu- 
lation, in  health,  or  sickness, — in 
all  things, — I  commend  me  into 
Thy  hands,  and  desire  to  bless 
Thee  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen. 

*  Ps.  1.  14. 


o 

258  VALLEY  OF   LILIES. 

CHAP.  XXIX. 

ON  UNION  OF  THE   HEART  WITH 
GOD. 


"  Convertcre  anima  mea  in  re- 
quiem. tuam,quia  Dominus  henefecit 
tibir* 

"  Turn,  0  my  soul,  into  thy  rest, 
for  the  Lord  hath  been  bountiful  to 
thee:' 

1 .  For  verily  He  is  thy  rest,  and 
thy  peace,  thy  life,  thy  salvation, 
and  thy  happiness  :  all,  therefore, 
that  thou  dost,  all  that  thou  seesi, 
all  that  thou  hearest  of  good,  refer 
to  the  g^lory  of  God,  that  so  thou 
mayest  have  peace  and  a  good  con- 
science. 

Put  not  ihy  trust, — rejoice  not, 
— in  thyself  or  others,  but  cling  to 

*  Ps.  cxiv.  7. 

O O 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  259 

God  alone,  purely,  steadily,  entire- 
ly :  dwell  with  Him  who  giveth 
and  worketh  all  in  all,  by  the  might 
of  His  goodness,  and  the  greatness 
of  His  mercy. 

Oh,  who  will  give  me  grace  to 
refer  all  to  the  praise  and  honour 
of  God  ? — with  all  my  strength  to 
do  all  the  good  that  I  am  bound,  or 
am  able  to  do  ; — to  be  so  insensible 
to  the  vanities  of  earth,  that  none 
of  them,  whether  great  or  small, 
shall  be  able  to  draw  me  from 
Him  ; — to  turn  me  away  from  his 
service  ; — to  overcast  my  soul  with 
trouble,  or  in  anywise  to  hinder  me  ? 

But,  perhaps,  it  is  not  possible 
for  me  to  obtain  such  a  state  in  this 
life  ?  Oh,  say  not  so,  for  all  is  pos- 
sible to  God,  and  He  can,  instant- 
ly, by  the  sweet  cords  of  His  love, 
unite  the  devout  soul  to  Himself: 
for  this  pure  and  perfect  love  of 
God,  can  so  act  in  a  moment, 
O O 


o < 

260  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

whensoever  it  pleases  Him,  that 
forgetful  of  all  creatures,  the  soul 
may  be  wholly  united  to  Him  alone, 
and  vehemently  entlamed,yea  melt- 
ed, by  the  fire  of  his  love. 

2.  Oh,  my  God  and  my  love, 
when,  in  this  place  of  exile,  shall 
I  be  wholly  united  to  Thee  1  when 
shall  I  love  Thee  with  all  the 
strength  of  my  soul — that  strength 
which  Thou  alone  hast  given  and 
graciously  infused  ? 

May  all  created  beings  keep  si- 
lence before  Thee,  O  my  God ! 
Speak  Thou  only  to  my  soul,  O 
God,  blessed  eternally  !  assist  it, 
help  it,  enlighten  it,  Thou  that  art 
all  in  all,  and  whose  brightness  is 
above  the  stars  of  the  lirmament! 

Happy  is  the  soul,  which,  being 
afflicted  in  this  world,  is  comforted 
of  God  ; — which  being  unknown  to 
men, — is  known  to  the  holy  angels; 
—  neglected  by    the    wicked,   but 

o o 


0 c 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  261 

sought  after  by  the  good ; — de- 
spised by  the  proud,  but  loved  by 
the  humble  ; — separated  from  the 
children  of  the  world,  but  united  to 
the  servants  of  God  ; — scorned  by 
the  great,  but  honoured  by  the  lit- 
tle ones  ; — dead  to  the  world,  but 
alive  unto  God; — afflicted  in  the 
flesh. but  rejoicing  in  spirit; — weak 
in  health,  but  strong  in  mind  ; — 
downcast  in  countenance,  but  up- 
right in  conscience  ; — burthened 
by  toil,  but  strengthened  in  prayer  ; 
— bent  under  the  weight  of  infirmi- 
ties, but  raised  up  again  by  inte- 
rior consolations,  and  prisoned  in 
this  world  by  the  bonds  of  the 
flesh,  but  in  spirit  rapt  to  heaven, 
and  joined  with  Christ. 

3.  Blessed  is  he  who  has  Jesus 
and  Mary,  the  angels  and  saints  of 
God  for  his  friends  in  this  life  ; — 
for  guides  on  his  way  ; — for  advi- 
sers in  doubt ; — for  masters  in  his 
O O 


o o 

262  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

Studies  ; — for  readers  at  his  table  ; 
— for  com})anions  in  his  solitude  ; — 
for  familiars  in  his  conversation  ; — 
for  fellow-singers  in  choir ; — for 
guards  in  danger ; — for  help  in 
trials  ; — for  defenders  against  his 
enemies  ; — for  intercessors  after 
sin ; — for  assistants  in  his  last 
hour  ; — for  comforters  in  his  ag- 
ony ;  —  for  advocates  in  the  day  of 
judgment ; — for  patrons  before 
God  ; — and  for  joyous  congratula- 
tors,  introducing  him  to  the  courts 
of  heaven  ! 

O  religious  and  devout  soul,  who 
hast  forsaken  the  world,  thy  fam- 
ily, and  home,  receive  now  God  for 
thy  father  ; — Jesus  for  thy  brother  ; 
— Mary  for  thy  mother  ; — the  an- 
gels for  thy  friends  ; — and  thy  fel- 
low-religious for  thy  relations. 

Look  on  all  the  faithful  as  thy 
neighbours  ; — the  old  men  as  thy 
uncles  ; — the   voung   men    as   thy 

O "- C 


o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  263 

brothers  ; — the  married  women  as 
thy  mothers  ; — the  young  maidens 
as  thy  sisters  ; — the  poor  as  thy 
friends ; — the  travellers  as  thy 
cousins  ; — the  meek  and  humble  of 
heart  as  tby  companions  ; — the  so- 
ber and  chaste  as  thy  mess-mates  ; 
— the  sick  and  afflicted  as  thy  fa- 
miliars ; — the  distressed  and  de- 
spised and  scorned  as  the  dear 
friends  of  thy  heart  ; — the  pious  as 
those  most  worthy  of  honour  • — and 
all  those  who  despise  the  world, 
and  serve  Christ,  as  co-heirs  in  the 
kino-dom  of  Heaven, 

This  is  the  holy  generation  and 
noble  offspring  born  of  God,  pleas- 
ing to  God,  founded  on  faiih, 
strengthened  by  hope,  adorned 
by  charity,  armed  with  patience, 
proved  by  the  lire  of  tribulation, 
and  ever  firm  in  constancy. 


-O 


o o 

264  VALLEY  OF   LILIES. 

CHAP.  XXX. 

ON  TRUE  PEACE,  TO  BE  SOUGHT 
FOR  IN  GOD  ALONE. 


"Pax  vobis!  Ego  sum,  nolite 
timere"* 

"  Peace  be  to  you.  It  is  7,  be  not 
afraid." 

1 .  Christ  Jesus  is  the  foundation 
of  our  safety,  and  the  only  source 
of  true  peace. 

He  that  loves  Christ,  enjoys 
peac^  and  rest  in  him — desires 
nothinor  out  of  him,  nothing  more 
than  him. 

The  peace  of  the  faithful  soul  here 
below  consists  in  suffering  for  the 
love  of  God  and  in  the  name  of 
Christ;  and  whoso  thinketh  other- 
wise, is  in  error,  and  deceivethhim- 

*  Jo.  vi.  20. 

O- Q 


) o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  265 

self.  Vain  is  the  labour  of  him  who 
placeth  not  God  at  the  beginning 
of  all  his  thoughts,  of  all  his  ac- 
tions ; — who  seeks  not, — desires 
not  God  alone.  "  There  is  no 
peace  to  the  wicked,  saith  the 
Lord  God,"*  but  those  who  love 
thy  law,  O  Lord,  shall  enjoy 
abundantly  the  sweetness  of  thy 
peace. 

2.  The  peace  which  Christ  j 
taught  and  promised,  is  to  be  found 
in  profound  humility, — in  a  com- 
plete denial  of  our  own  will, — in 
the  mortification  of  our  depraved 
inclinations, — in  the  contempt  of 
worldly  praise,  and  of  all  consola- 
tion in  perishable  and  passing 
things. 

Watch  then  over  thy  heart  with- 
in, lest  thou  be  seduced  by  its  at- 
tractive deceit  ;  and  watch  over 
thy  senses  without,  lest  thou  seek 

*  Isaiah  Ivii.  21.  I 

J c 

10 


266  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

for  gratifications  injurious  to  thy 
soul. 

And  yet  created  things  often 
serve  to  our  spiritual  advancement, 
when  we  refer  the  use  made  of 
them  directly  and  entirely  to  the 
honour  and  glory  of  God : — or 
when  used  with  moderation  and 
discretion  for  our  own  pressing 
necessities,  or  for  the  good  of  our 
brethren . 

3.  But  their  beauty  often  be- 
comes to  us  an  occasion  of  sin, 
when  beheld  with  looks  full  of  cu- 
riosity— of  concupiscence — of  pas- 
sion : — for  then  they  produce  in 
our  souls  desires  and  affections 
contrary  to  the  purpose  and  glory 
of  God.  Thus  the  unwary  are  of- 
ten overcome  by  evil,  and  fall, 
where  the  wise  and  good  are 
watchful  to  preserve  their  virtue. 

Remember  that  riches  tempt, 
money  corrupts,  and  pleasure  stains 
C C 


) o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  267 

the  soul ;  that  much  feasting  chokes 
it ;  knowledge  puffeth  up  ;  power 
breeds  self  sufficiency,  and  hon- 
ours beget  pride. 

Perverse  souls  are  disgusted 
with  humility  ;  and  vain,  empty 
praise  seduces  the  light  and  un- 
stable. 

There  is  not  only  absolute  folly 
but  downright  frenzy  in  loving  and 
seeking  after  pleasure,  which  can- 
not satisfy  the  soul  nor  give  the 
heart  repose  ;  for  all  that  is  of  the 
world  shall  fail,  and  is  of  short  du- 
ration :  nothing  but  God  is  perfect, 
and  nothing  but  Him  should  we  re- 
gard as  sovereign  beatitude  and 
highest  good. 

4.  Beware  then,  lest  beauty  of 
form,  nobility  of  birth,  or  height  of 
office,  engross  thy  affections  and 
occupy  thy  mind,  if  thou  wouldst 
not  be  deceived  and  lose  the  peace 
of  thy  heart,  and  the  purity  of  thy 
) O 


o- 


) ( 

268  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

soul.  All  things  are  vain,  slip- 
pery, and  hurtful,  at  least,  if  not  re- 
ferred to  God,  from  whom  cometh 
all  good,  and  in  whom  all  things 
live  and  move,  and  have  their  j 
being. 

Glory  not  then,  O  frail  and  mor- 
tal man,  who  in  so  many  things 
art  guilty,  so  prone  to  fall  into  sin, 
— so  weak  withal,  and  unable  to 
stand  in  virtue  ;  trust  not  thyself 
overmuch,  nor  be  too  confident  in 
thyself  or  others,  by  high  thoughts 
and  vain  presumption,  but  offer  and 
ascribe  to  God,  without  restriction 
or  reserve,  all  the  good  thou  per- 
ceivest,  whether  in  thyself  or  oth- 
ers, or  in  any  other  created  thing. 

Then  wilt  thou  find  in  Christ 
that  peace  of  heart,  and  sweet  re- 
pose, which  may  be  vainly  sought 
in  all  created  things  :  then  will  be 
accomplished  in  thee  and  of  thee, 
the   sweet    and    holy   promise    of 


1 c 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  269 

Christ  on  the  mount,  "  Blessed  are 
the  clean  of  heart,  for  they  shall 
see  God  :"* — to  Whom  be  praise, 
honour,  and  glory,  from  every  crea- 
ture, now  and  for  ages  of  ages. 
Amen. 


CHAP.  XXXI. 


THAT    OUR    IXTEXTIOX   SHOULD  BE 

PURE    AND  ALWAYS   DIRECTED 

TOWARDS   GOD. 


"  Oculi  mei  semper  ad  Dominum, 
quoniam  ipse  evellet  de  laqueo  pedes 
meosy] 

"  My  eyes  are  ever  towards  the 
Lord  ;  fur  he  shall  pluck  my  feet  out 
of  the  snare. ^^ 

1.  In  all  thy  thoughts,  words, 
and  actions,  have  always  a  right 

*  Matt.  V.  8.  t  Ps.  ixiv.  15. 

) o 


270  VALLEY  OF   LILIES. 

and  pure  intention  towards  God ; 
that  so  thou  mayest  do  all  things 
to   His   praise,  honour  and   glory, 
and  to  the  edification  of  thy  neigh-  | 
hour.     For  God  is  the  source   ofi 
all   good,  and  the  great   giver  of! 
eternal     rewards  ;     and     if    thou 
wouldst  not  lose  the  fruit  of  thy 
labours,  He  alone  ought  to  be  the 
beginning  and  sole  end  of  all  thy 
good    works  :     and    if  thou    wert 
fully  penetrated  with  the  terror  of 
God's  righteous  judgments,  vanity 
would  never  take  possession  of  thy 
heart. 

2.  Vain  glory  and  a  desire  of 
being  praised  in  public  by  all,  is  a 
most  deadly  poison.  It  is  most 
excessive  vanity,  and  certain  indi- 
cation of  pride,  and  directly  op- 
posed to  the  grace  of  God. 

What  then  wilt  thou  do  ?  or  in 
whom  wilt  thou  place  thy  hope  and 
confidence  ?     Not  surely    in  thy- 
O ' C 


VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  271 

self,  nor  in  man,  nor  in  earthly 
creatures  ;  nor  in  the  stars  of  heav- 
en ;  but  in  God  alone,  thy  Creator, 
who  made  and  sustains  thee,  as 
well  as  all  created  things,  by  the 
might  of  His  right  hand,  and  He 
needs  none  as  help  or  support. 
Call  out  then,  with  the  holy  king 
David,  "  My  eyes  are  ever  towards 
the  Lord  ;  for  He  shall  pluck  my 
feet  out  of  the  snare  :"*  adding 
these  words,  "  Lord,  all  my  desire 
is  before  thee,  and  my  groaning  is 
not  hidden  from  thee."t 

3.  Renouncing  then  the  deceit- 
ful consolations  and  counsels  of 
men,  fly  in  thy  need  unto  thy 
God ;  place  all  thy  trust  in  Him  ; 
call  upon  Him  with  fervent  prayer 
and  holy  desires,  for  "  He  will 
pluck  thy  feet  out  of  the  snare,  so 
that  thou  mayst  be  not  moved  out 
of  the  way  "  of  virtue  and  true  hu- 

*  Ps.  xxiv.  15.  t  Ps.  xzxvii.  10 


-o 


o o 

272  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

mility,  but  persevere  steadfastly  in 
the  service  of  God  unto  the  end. 

Every  good  work  done  for  the 
sake  of  God,  maketh  the  con- 
science glad,  brings  light  to  the 
mind,  and  meriteth  a  greater  in- 
crease of  grace  ;  but  every  bad  ac- 
tion brings  sorrow  to  him  that 
commits  it,  stains  his  good  name, 
and  obstructs  the  influence  of  di- 
vine consolation. 

He  that  doth  anything  through 
motives  of  vain  glory,  puts  out  his 
light  with  the  wind  of  ostentation  ; 
and  he,  who  is  virtuous  that  he 
may  please  men,  and  stand  high 
in  their  esteem,  shall  quickly  be 
overthrown  by  an  angry  God,  and 
grovel  in  the  mire. 

Rejoice  not  then,  like  fools,  in 
the  smiles  of  the  world,  but  rather 
let  the  sense  of  thy  own  frailty  keep 
thee  in  the  fear  of  God.  Thy  fre- 
quent falls  and  constant  tendency  [ 
O G 


o o 

VALLEY   OF  LILIES.  273 

to  error,  should  teach  thee  to  en- 
tertain an  humble  and  mean  opin- 
ion of  thyself. 

4.  Beware  of  giving  too  much 
praise  to  any  man  in  this  life,  for 
thou  knowest  not  what  he  may  be- 
come hereafter:  neither  rashly  con- 
demn him  that  falleth  ;  for  touched 
by  his  tears,  God  may  shortly  grant 
him  grace  to  rise  again.  Pray  for 
all  men,  and  commend  all  unto  God. 

Be  vile  in  thine  own  eyes,  so 
shalt  thou  be  great  in  the  sight  of 
God,  who  hath  respect  to  the  hinn- 
ble,  but  knowing  the  proud  afar  off. 
He  will  suddenly  cast  him  down. 

If  thou  art  despised  by  men,  and 
if  others  are  preferred  before  thee, 
be  not  cast  down  into  the  excess  of 
sadness ;  it  is  better  and  safer, 
doubtless,  to  be  humbled  by  men, 
in  company  with  the  meek  and 
simple,  than  to  be  cast  off  by  God 
with  the  rich  and  the  lofty-minded. 
O O 


o o 

274  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

Shun  the  praises  of  men  ;  fear 
to  be  exalted  ;  bhish  at  proffered 
honours  ;  fly  from  human  respect ; 
strive  rather  to  live  secluded.  Pre- 
fer, before  all,  the  service  due  to 
God,  the  study  of  holy  books,  and 
perseverance  in  prayer. 

That  man  is  not  without  praise 
and  honour,  who,  for  the  sake  of 
God,  despiseth  praise  and  honour  ; 
nor  is  he  without  consolation,  who 
holdeth  all  the  joys  of  this  world  as 
nothing,  and  who  gladly  endureth 
every  thing  contrary  to  his  inclina- 
tion, for  the  love  of  Christ,  and 
whose  daily  aspirations  and  sighs 
are  to  be  united  to  Him  in  heaven. 


O O 


o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  275 

CHAP.  XXXII. 

THE  PRAYER  OF  AN  HUMBLE  AND 
A  CONTRITE   SPIRIT. 


"  Ad  te,  Domine,  levavi  animam 
mcam^''*  "  qui  habitas  in  ccelis.''''] 

"  To  thee  have  I  lifted  up  my 
soul,  O  Lord"  "  who  dwellest  in 
heaven.''* 

1 .  0  Lord  God  !  whose  wisdom 
and  justice  regulate  all  things  in 
heaven  and  in  earth, — angels,  men, 
and  every  created  being,  instead  of 
the  exalted  praise  and  thanksgiving 
which  are  Thy  due,  vouchsafe  to 
accept  in  offering,  the  tribulations 
and  anguish  of  a  heart  truly  sorry 
for  its  manifold  transgressions. 
Whatever  is  of  evil  in  me,  do  Thou 
turn  into  good  ;  and  the   good,  do 

*  Ps.  xxiv.  1.  t  Ps.  cxxii  1.  I 

o o 


o o 

276  VALLEY  OF   LILIES. 

Thou  still  convert  into  better  ;  for 
the  glory  of  Thy  name,  and  the 
eternal  salvation  of  my  soul.  Thou 
knovvest  all  my  infirmity,  all  my  ig- 
norance, and  the  wonted  fickleness 
of  my  mind  and  memory  : — how 
quickly  I  wander  hither  and  thith- 
er; very  often  alas!  still  farther 
from  Thee.  Spare  me,  O  Lord, 
according  to  the  multitude  of  Thy 
mercies,  and  direct  my  wandering 
footsteps  to  Thee.  Preserve  my 
heart  in  Thy  presence,  day  and 
night  ever  engaged, — as  far  as  this 
frail  body  will  bear, — in  devout 
prayer  and  holy  meditation. 

2.  I  desire,  O  Lord,  to  appease 
Thy  benign  countenance  with  sa- 
cred offerings  and  prayers,  partic- 
ularly with  the  needy  man's  three 
mites,  viz. : — contrition  of  heart, 
confession  of  mouth,  and  humble 
satisfaction.  O  Lord,  my  God,  su- 
premely loved,  be  mindful  of  me 

o! :: O 


o o 

VALLEY   OF  LILIES,  277 

Thy  poor  servant,  since  I  am  a 
weak  mortal,  not  a  pure  angel  ;  a 
vile  sinner,  not  an  innocent  lamb  ; 
tepid  in  prayer,  not  fervent  in  con- 
templation : — Therefore  unworthy 
to  be  counted  Thy  servant,  nor  re- 
garded among  Thy  pious  worship- 
pers. 0  Lord  God  of  my  heart, 
deign  then  to  accept  the  prayer  of 
Thy  humble  servant  ;  accept  my 
bitter  sorrow  for  past  offences,  as 
Thou  receivest  the  sweet  songs, 
and  harmonious  jubilations  of  all 
the  celestial  inhabitants.  Although 
I  often  fall,  and  my  soul  is  sad 
from  my  wretched  frailty,  still  do  I 
not,  nor  shall  I  ever,  despair  of 
Thy  mercy  and  pardon. 

Through  the  whole  period  of  my 
life,  I  cease  not,  nor  shall  I  ever 
cease,  to  sing  Thy  praise,  but  I  shall 
ever  honour  and  magnify  Thy 
name,  until  my  soul  will  go  to 
seek  Thee,  my  God  ;  for  to  praise 
J . O 


O ( 

278  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

and  love  Thee  above  all  things 
without  cessation,  is  the  supreme 
happiness  of  the  angels  and  saints 
in  Thy  heavenly  kingdom. 


CHAP.  XXXIII. 

OF   HOLY  FELLOWSHIP  WITH  JESUS 
AND  WITH   HIS   SAINTS. 


"  QudBsite  Deum,  et  vivct  anima 
vestra.''* 

"  Seek  ye  after  God,  and  your 
soul  shall  live." 

1.  There  is  nothing  better, — 
nothing  more  beneficial  to  the  soul 
than  to  seek  after  God  alone.  He 
that  seeketh  any  other  thing,  shall 
end  by  finding  nothing. 

If,  therefore,  thou  wouldst  have 

*  Ps.  Ixviii.  33. 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  279 

a  friend  to  give  true  consolation  in 
affliction,  go  to  Jesus  ; — approach 
His  crib  with  the  shepherds,*  come 
with  the  Magi,  to  adore  Him  in  the 
arms  of  his  mother  ;t  follow  Him 
to  the  temple  with  Simeon  and 
Anna  ;|  to  the  city  with  Martha  ;^ 
to  the  sepulchre,  with  Mary  Mag- 
dalen :||  or  filled  with  sentiments  of 
the  most  sweet  and  lively  joy,  join 
the  apostles  in  the  upper  chamber, 
to  receive  with  them  the  Holy 
Spirit.** 

Blessed  is  he,  that  in  these  and 
other  holy  places,  devoutly  seeks 
Jesus,  not  in  body  only,  but  in  spirit 
and  in  truth. 

Blessed  is  he  who,  at  all  times, 
and  in  every  place,  seeketh  Jesus 
from  the  bottom  of  his  heart,  and 
who  burns  with  an  ardent  desire 
to  enjoy  His  presence,  and  to  pre- 

*  Luke  i.        t  Matt.  ii.        i  Luke  ii. 
()  Luke  X.        II   Jo.  XK.        "*  Acts  li. 


o o 

280  VALLEY   OF  LILIES. 

parehimself  every  day  for  the  bright 
vision,  and  presence  of  Christ. 

Blessed  is  he  who,  in  his  life, 
follows  Jesus  to  Calvary,  and  bears 
his  cross  with  Him  ;  for  his  divine 
Saviour  shall  assist  him  in  his 
last  hour,  and  he  shall  not  fear  the 
sentence  of  reprobation  destined 
for  the  wicked. 

2.  Seek  not  only  Jesus,  but  the 
disciples  of  Jesus,  and  all  that  love 
Jesus  ;  and  all,  who  for  His  love, 
bear  patiently  the  pains  and  sor- 
rows of  this  life :  for  the  love  of 
Jesus  and  His  friends  maketh  a  man 
despise  the  world,  and  driveth  away 
all  that  is  impure  or  vain. 

Renounce  then  those  friends, 
those  acquaintances,  those  com- 
})anions,  who  would  offer  an  ob- 
struction in  thy  retreat  or  devotion  ; 
and  for  thy  singular  consolation, 
seek  in  secret  retirement  to  enter- 
tain thyself  with  the  holv  apostles, 
O ~ -' 


o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  281 

and  brethren  of  Jesus,  that  they 
may  speak  to  thee  of  the  kingdom 
of  God,  and  declare  how  great  is 
the  happiness  of  the  elect ;  and 
how,  by  passing  through  many  trib- 
ulations, thou  mayest  attain  their 
happy  society. 

Come  then,  before  all  holy  saints, 
men  or  women,  citizens  of  the  heav- 
enly court,  withdraw  thyself  from 
the  tumult  of  the  world  :  retire  into 
the  secret  tabernacle  and  oratory  of 
the  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  and  seek 
there  by  constant  prayer,  for  all 
necessary  consolation. 

'.].  Listen  to  the  angel  of  the 
Lord,  announcing  to  Mary  the  in- 
carnation of  Christ,  and  the  re- 
demption of  the  human  race. 

O  blessed  day  and  happy  hour  ! 
if  thou  canst  rest  there  in  company 
with  the  angel  Gabriel,'  and  the 
blessed  Virgin  Mary,  and  learn 
from  their  mouths  the  mysteries  of 

0 O 

10a 


o o 

282  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

heaven  ;  believing,  most  firmly,  in 
the  truth  of  all  things  which  were 
declared  by  the  angel  to  Mary, 
even  as  she  believed  God,  and  His 
angel  sent  from  heaven. 

Then  turn  to  the  desert,  and  seek 
diligently  John  the  Baptist,  the  pre- 
cursor of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
where  he  lies  hid  ;  and  on  bended 
knees  humbly  say  with  much  devo- 
tion : — 

"  Hail,  John,  the  most  holy  and 
beloved  friend  of  Jesus  Christ,  I 
have  often  heard  of  thy  many  vir- 
tues, and  the  wonders  of  thy  admi- 
rable life  ;  I  have  heard  of  the  mi- 
raculous sanctity  of  thy  birth ;  I 
have  heard  with  what  religious 
austerity  thou  livedst  in  the  desert 
from  thine  infancy,  that  so  thou 
mightest' preserve  thy  spotless  pu- 
rity in  word  and  thought." 

4.  Ask  of  him  how  long  he  re- 
mained  alone   in  the   desert,  and 


a 


o- 


) o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  283 

dwell  with  him  there  as  long  as 
thou  canst,  or  time  will  allow. 

Learn  of  him  what  was  his  meat 
or  his  drink,  and  who  ministered 
to  his  wants  ;  see  if  his  father  or 
mother  sent  any  thing  to  him  ;  or 
whether  they  came  to  him,  or  he 
to  them  ;  or  whether  the  angel  Ga- 
briel descended  on  him  to  reveal  to 
him  many  hidden  things,  or  even 
whether  Jesus  appeared  in  person 
to  him,  and  strengthened  his  hand, 
as  it  is  written  in  the  gospel  : 
"  For  the  hand  of  the  Lord  was 
with  him."* 

Whatsoever  revelations  St.  John 
the  Baptist  had  been  favoured  with 
in  the  desert,  do  thou  commit  thy- 
self entirely  to  the  Holy  Spirit, 
with  whom  he  was  filled,  by  whom 
he  was  instructed, — who  formed 
him,  and  adorned  his  life  with  all 
virtues  ; — who,  in  the  desert,  in  the 

*  Luke  i.  66. 


o 

284  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

world,  in  prison,  and  in  chains, 
watched  over  him,  and  received  his 
soul  at  last,  as  it  bore  away  the 
glorious  palm  of  martyrdom. 

5.  Approach  then  to  the  apos- 
tles of  Christ ;  seek  out  St.  Peter, 
and  follow  him  to  the  temple  to 
pray,  or  ascend  with  him  into  the 
upper  chamber,  "  to  receive  the 
Holy  Spirit."* 

Follow  St.  Paul  to  Damascus,  to 
Ephesus,  and  go  with  him  through 
all  dangers,  to  preach  the  gospel  of 
Christ,  not  in  body,  but  in  spirit. 

Behold  how  his  labours  exceed 
all ;  how  often  he  prays,  and  how 
frequently  in  his  prayers  and  med- 
itations, he  is  rapt  up  into  heaven. 

It  is  true  these  great  fiivours  are 
not  vouchsafed  to  all ;  and  yet  the 
apostle,  humbling  himself  to  the 
lowest,  says,  "  I  do  not  count  my- 
self to  have  apprehended  :"t  and 

*  Acts.ii.  t  Phil.  iii.  13. 

o o 


) o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  285 

elsewhere,  when  teaching  the  hum- 
ble, that  they  ought  to  conform 
themselves  to  the  life  and  passion 
of  Jesus  Christ,  he  says,  "  I  judged 
not  myself  to  know  any  thing 
among  you,  but  Jesus  Christ  and 
Him  crucified."* 

Follow,  then,  St.  Paul,  for  he  will 
lead  thee  by  the  straight  path  unto 
Christ,  and  by  the  way  of  the  cross 
to  heaven. 

6.  Go  then  further,  and  in  the 
parts  of  A-chaia,  listen  to  the  apos- 
tle Andrew,  preaching  the  faith  of 
Christ ;  hear  his  words  from  the 
cross  on  which  he  was  nailed,  for 
the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  ;  en- 
grave them  on  thy  heart,  and  study 
to  fulfil  with  joy,  through  the  in- 
spiration and  assistance  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  all  that  he  declares  of 
the  passion  of  Christ,  and  the 
praises  of  the  holy  cross. 

*  1  Cor.  ii.  2. 

0 o 


C) 1 

286  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

Seek  then  St.  James  the  Great- 
er, who  suffered  martyrdom  under 
Herod ;  drink,  with  him,  of  the 
chalice  of  sorrow  in  this  miserable 
life  ; — bearing  patiently  with  all 
suffering,  for  the  love  of  God,  and 
the  salvation  of  thy  soul. 

7.  Next  proceed,  and  seek  John, 
the  beloved  apostle  of  Christ,  who,, 
for  the  name  of  Jesus,  was  sent  in- 
to exile ;  and  separated  from  the 
world,  and  all  its  cares  and  con- 
cerns ;  where,  enlightened  by  di- 
vine revelation,  he  wrote  in  sym- 
bolic and  mysterious  style  in  the 
Apocalypse,  the  state  of  the  church 
militant  and  triumphant  ;  and  after 
this,  he  wrote  his  gospel,  to  in- 
struct and  console  all  churches, 
and  all  the  faithful  therein,  and 
give  testimony,  last  of  all,  to  the 
divinity  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Read  and  study  well  these,  and 

the  other  books  of  Holy  Scripture, 

O ( 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  287 

as  much  as  thy  understanding  will 
allow,  and  thy  wants  require  in 
this  thy  exile,  here  on  earth :  not 
with  a  view  to  pass  for  wise  and 
learned,  in  the  eyes  of  men,  but 
that  thou  mayest  become  m.eek  and 
patient,  humble  and  obedient  even 
unto  death. 

8.  Go  also,  and  for  thy  consola- 
tion seek,  the  other  apostles,  em- 
ployed in  the  service  of  God,  en- 
during martyrdom  for  the  faith  and 
love  of  Christ,  and  leading  the 
faithful  to  virtue,  both  by  their  ex- 
ample, and  by  their  words. 

Behold  St.  James,  the  brother 
of  our  Lord,  writing  his  canonical 
Epistle,  wherein  is  contained  the 
rule  of  a  Christian  life,  and  the 
whole  perfection  of  our  religion. 

Seek  St.  Thomas  in  the  Indies  ; 

that  apostle  who  reverently  touched 

the   wounds   of  Christ,  and    who, 

believing   firmly,    cried   out    with  | 

C) C 


o o 

288  VALLEY  OF   LILIES. 

an  ardent  love,  "  My  Lord  and  my 
God."» 

With  a  like  holy  zeal,  seek  the 
holy  apostle  and  learned  evangelist 
Matthew,  writing,  in  the  Hebrew 
character,  the  gospel  of  Christ,  for 
the  instruction  of  all  the  world,  and 
for  the  salvation  of  all  people,  and 
nations  and  tongues. 

With  an  equal  ardour  and  affec- 
tion, follow  the  other  holy  apostles 
and  disciples  of  Jesus  Christ ;  each 
one,  in  the  several  relations  and 
places,  preserving  the  word  of  life, 
teaching  the  people,  and  labouring 
unto  death  in  the  vineyard  of  the 
Lord. 

Behold  these  are  the  saints  and 
friends  of  God,  who,  at  the  price 
of  their  blood,  and  by  the  crown  of 
martyrdom,  merited  eternal  life. 
Read  with  pleasure  the  recital  of 


their  labours  and   sufferings,   and 

*  John.  XX.  28. 


<J 


o o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  289 

thou  wilt  be  consoled  in  thy  labours, 
and  light  affliction  ;  for  whatever 
thou  mayest  do  or  suffer,  it  is  as 
nothing  in  comparison  with  that 
which  the  martyrs  and  all  the 
blessed  have  done  and  suffered  fior 
Christ  in  the  service  of  God. 


CHAP.  XXXIV. 

ox  PLACING  OUR   SOVEREIGN  GOOD 

AND  FARTHEST  AIM  IN 

GOD  ALONE. 


"  Satiahor  cum  apparuerit  gloria 
tua."* 

"  /  shaU  be   satisfied   when  thy 
glory  shall  appear.''^ 

1 .  The  Soul. — 0  Lord,  how  shall 
man  attain  to  this  glory  ? 

*  Ps.  xvi.  15. 


; Q 

290  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

Jesus  Christ. — By  the  contempt 
of  himself,  and  all  earthly  things, 
and  by  an  ardent  love  of  all  heav- 
enly things. 

The  saints  who  rejoice  in  heav- 
en, and  all  the  faithful  who  still 
combat  here  below,  against  the  al- 
lurements of  sin, — are  my  witness- 
es for  this. 

But  those  who  are  far  from  at- 
taining the  eternal  glory  and  sove- 
reign beatitude,  are  the  proud  an- 
gels of  darkness,  the  infidel  Pa- 
gans, the  perverse  Jews,  hardened 
heretics,  and  carnal  men,  who  se- 
duced by  the  pleasures  of  the  world, 
and  neglecting  the  service  of  God, 
propose  no  other  end  in  all  their  ac- 
tions, than  the  enjoyment  of  earth- 
ly goods,  the  honour  and  esteem  of 
men. 

Ah !  woe  is  me,  0  God  ; — such 
infatuated  persons  are  driven  about 
in  every  sense,  in  painful  journeys, 
)- C 


O 1 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  291 

in  severe  study,  in  constant  watch- 
ings,  solicitous  without  ceasing, 
and  labouring  without  relaxation, 
to  increase  and  preserve  those  en- 
joyments which  make  them  slaves 
to  their  desires  :  and  when  they 
have  received  a  part  of  what  they 
thirst  for,  when  they  have  ob- 
tained directly  or  indirectly  the  ob- 
ject of  their  labours,  still  are  they 
not  satisfied ;  they  wish  to  rise 
still  higher,  for  their  vanity  will 
leave  nothing  below  them ;  they 
puff  themselves  up,  and  think  them- 
selves wise  and  worthy  of  the  es- 
teem of  man,  and  the  homage  of 
their  brethren.  Howbeit  in  all 
this,  what  is  there  but  vanity,  frail- 
ty, and  nothing  ;  whatsoever  they 
desire,  whatever  they  seek,  is  lost 
as  regards  the  great  work  of  their 
salvation,  and  full  of  danger  to  the 
welfare  of  their  souls. 

2.  In  very  deed  ye  are  in  error 


O 


292  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

and  deceive  yourselves,  ye  who  in 
the  world  find  sweetness,  ye  for 
whom  this  present  world  is  full  of 
pleasantness  ;  for  none  of  these 
enjoyments  are  secure,  and  every 
day  ye  draw  nearer  to  death,  and 
to  the  judgment  of  God. 

For  there  is  nothing  in  this 
world  so  agreeable  but  what  has 
annexed  to  it  somewhat  of  bitter- 
ness ;  whatsoever  of  loveliest,  best 
and  sweetest,  created  things  can 
offer  you — 'all  are  insufficient  to 
satisfy  the  soul  ;  they  cannot  de- 
liver it  from  evil ;  they  cannot  fill 
it  with  good,  nor  keep  it  in  end- 
less  joy  ;  God  alone,  who  is  eter- 
nal, immense,  and  sovereignly 
good,  God  alone  can  produce  in  us 
these  blessed  effects.  He  is  the 
creator  of  all  things,  visible  and  in- 
visible, of  angels  and  men, — before 
all — above  all— and  in  all — God 
blessed  for  ever. 

o o 


) c 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  293 

3.  Can  the  blessed  spirits  in 
Heaven,  or  those  on  earth,  think 
or  speak  worthily  of  Him  ?  Ah 
no !  for  He  is  above  all  that  a 
created  bein^  can  conceive,  and  in 
His  si^ht  all  things  are  vain  and 
valueless.  Miserably  deceived  is 
the  unhappy  soul,  that,  apart  from 
God,  seeks  and  fosters  those  affec- 
tions, which  would  turn  it  away 
from  the  love  and  honour  of  God, 
but  which  will  leave  it  at  the  end 
in  poverty  and  abject  indigence. 

A  PRAYER. 

4.  O  Lord,  great  and  wonder- 
ful are  tlnj  works  !  and  to  fathom  or 

understand  any  one  of  them^  is  not 
possihle  for  me  or  any  living  crea- 
ture. What  therefore  shall  I  do, 
whereas  I  am  unable  either  to  com- 
prehend things  so  far  above  my 
capacity,  penetrate    the    secrets    of 

0 O 


o o 

294  VALLEY  OF   LILIES. 

heaven,  or  contemplate  in  company 
with  angels,  the  face  of  my  God  ? 
I  confess  myself  unworthy  to  enjoy 
happiness  so  great,  and  converse  with 
the  saints  in  heaven.  Therefore 
will  I  humhlc  and  despise  myself, 
bffore  God  and  man,  as  long  as  I 
live,  and  I  will  be  a$  nothing  in  my 
own  eyes ;  that  God  may  have  pity 
on  me  a  miserable  sinner,  now,  and 
all  days  of  my  life. 

In  the  bitterness  of  my  soul,  I 
shall  think  over  my  past  years,  in 
rvhich  I  have  provoked  His  wrath 
and  iridignation,  and  with  groans 
and  weeping  I  will  appease  my  God, 
whom  I  have  so  often  offended  by 
words,  by  deeds,  by  seeing,  by  hear- 
ing, and  by  the  other  senses:  which 
had  been  given  me  to  serve  my  Cre- 
ator, with  all  my  heart,  all  the  days 
of  my  sojourn  here  below. 

But  lest  I  should  become  dejected 
and  fall  into  despair  on  accnunt  of 


o 

VALLEY  OF  LILIES.  295 

my  nxinieroHS  transgressions,  I  will 
call  to  mind,  O  Lord,  the  multitude 
of  Thy  mercies  which  are  from  eter- 
nity ;  until  hy  Thy  divine  grace 
and  favour,  I  may  be  enabled  to 
reach  Thee  in  saffty.  Deliver  me, 
O  Lord,  from  all  those  dangers  and 
calamities  ichich  so  often  assail  me 
unprepared,  and  frequently  distract 
my  mind  from  the  contemplation  of 
Thy  heavenly  goods.  Assist  me, 
O  God  infinitely  good,  and  place  me 
nigh  unto  Thee  :  lest  I  should  be- 
gin to  wander  far  from  my  Supreme 
Good,  which  Thou  art,  O  my  God ! 
For  in  Thee  alone  is  all  my  good. 
Give  me  Thyself,  and  it  sufficeth 
my  soul,  O  Lord,  thou  God  of  my 
salvation.      Amen. 

THE  E\D 

OF 

THE  VALLEY  OF  LILIES. 

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